[Cerebral cysticercosis: a case report with special reference to CT and MRI findings]

A case of cerebral cysticercosis was reported with special reference to CT and MRI findings. A 51-year-old man, who had traveled to Taiwan in 1984, was admitted to the hospital for further examination concerning right hemiconvulsion, on January 23, 1988. On admission, a slightly euphoric state and Foster Kennedy syndrome (left: optic atrophy, right: choked disc) were observed. CT scan revealed multiple cystic lesions with ring-like enhancement around basal cisterns. MRI showed intensity of cyst contents parallel to CSF (on T1 and T2 weighted images) and high intensity rim around the cysts (especially on T2 weighted image). An operation was performed and the cysts were almost totally removed. The cyst was confirmed pathologically as cysticercosis, but no scolex was found in it. Postoperative immunological study on the serum and CSF was negative. In the diagnosis of atypical cystic lesions around basal cisterns, cerebral cysticercosis, rare in Japan, should also be considered, and it was emphasized that MRI was very useful for the diagnosis of such cysts.