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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
10:34
Double Direct Injection of Blood into the Cisterna Magna as a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: August 30, 2020
Insights
A patient with cerebral cysticercosis developed increased intracranial pressure due to a subdural collection of parasitic cysts, mimicking a hematoma. This is the first reported case of this rare complication.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral cysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the brain caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium, can lead to various neurological complications.
- Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a common manifestation of neurocysticercosis, often associated with inflammation, hydrocephalus, or mass effect from cysts.
Observation:
- A patient with a known history of cerebral cysticercosis presented with symptoms indicative of elevated ICP, including headache and altered mental status.
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a subdural collection that appeared radiographically consistent with a subdural hematoma.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration identified the subdural collection not as a hematoma, but as a significant accumulation of multiple cysticercal cysts within the subdural space.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of cysticerci, validating the surgical findings.
Implications:
- This case highlights a previously undocumented complication of cerebral cysticercosis, expanding the spectrum of neurological presentations.
- It underscores the importance of considering parasitic etiologies in the differential diagnosis of subdural collections, especially in endemic regions or in patients with a history of exposure.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the pathogenesis and prevalence of this specific subdural cysticercosis complication.
Abstract:
We describe a patient with a history of cerebral cysticercosis who presented with signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure; CT showed what seemed to be a subdural hematoma. At operation, the "hematoma" proved to be a subdural collection of multiple cysticercal cysts. This is the first report of this complication.
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