Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a central nervous system infection caused by Taenia solium or pork tapeworm. It affects millions worldwide and represents a leading cause of epilepsy in developing countries. NCC may be challenging to distinguish from intracranial tuberculomas, with tuberculosis being hig...

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Main Authors: Chew, Jia Xin, Tan, Juen Kiem, Cheong, Xiong Khee, Ho, Wen Chung, Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin, Chinnasami, Suganthi, Md Arif, Md Hanif, Kah Chuan, Lim, Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen
Format: Article
Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118028/
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author Chew, Jia Xin
Tan, Juen Kiem
Cheong, Xiong Khee
Ho, Wen Chung
Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin
Chinnasami, Suganthi
Md Arif, Md Hanif
Kah Chuan, Lim
Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen
author_facet Chew, Jia Xin
Tan, Juen Kiem
Cheong, Xiong Khee
Ho, Wen Chung
Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin
Chinnasami, Suganthi
Md Arif, Md Hanif
Kah Chuan, Lim
Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen
author_sort Chew, Jia Xin
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a central nervous system infection caused by Taenia solium or pork tapeworm. It affects millions worldwide and represents a leading cause of epilepsy in developing countries. NCC may be challenging to distinguish from intracranial tuberculomas, with tuberculosis being highly prevalent in developing countries. We highlight the importance of clinical history, including exposure history and neuroimaging, in obtaining an accurate diagnosis to enable prompt treatment. This report presents the case of a 26-year-old man diagnosed with NCC and presenting with acute giddiness and headache. Otherwise, there was no history of fever or constitutional symptoms. Neuroimaging demonstrated multiple cerebral lesions over both hemispheres, with degenerating scolex on brain MRI. He recovered well following a combination of oral albendazole, praziquantel, and corticosteroids. This case highlights the salient features that distinguish NCC from intracranial tuberculoma. Early and precise diagnosis will ensure that patients receive optimal treatment, expedite recovery, and prevent further complications.
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institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
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last_indexed 2025-11-15T14:36:02Z
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publisher Springer Science and Business Media LLC
recordtype eprints
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spelling upm-1180282025-06-23T02:30:17Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118028/ Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma Chew, Jia Xin Tan, Juen Kiem Cheong, Xiong Khee Ho, Wen Chung Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin Chinnasami, Suganthi Md Arif, Md Hanif Kah Chuan, Lim Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a central nervous system infection caused by Taenia solium or pork tapeworm. It affects millions worldwide and represents a leading cause of epilepsy in developing countries. NCC may be challenging to distinguish from intracranial tuberculomas, with tuberculosis being highly prevalent in developing countries. We highlight the importance of clinical history, including exposure history and neuroimaging, in obtaining an accurate diagnosis to enable prompt treatment. This report presents the case of a 26-year-old man diagnosed with NCC and presenting with acute giddiness and headache. Otherwise, there was no history of fever or constitutional symptoms. Neuroimaging demonstrated multiple cerebral lesions over both hemispheres, with degenerating scolex on brain MRI. He recovered well following a combination of oral albendazole, praziquantel, and corticosteroids. This case highlights the salient features that distinguish NCC from intracranial tuberculoma. Early and precise diagnosis will ensure that patients receive optimal treatment, expedite recovery, and prevent further complications. Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2024 Article PeerReviewed Chew, Jia Xin and Tan, Juen Kiem and Cheong, Xiong Khee and Ho, Wen Chung and Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin and Chinnasami, Suganthi and Md Arif, Md Hanif and Kah Chuan, Lim and Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen (2024) Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma. Cureus, 16 (8). art. no. 66231. ISSN 2168-8184 https://www.cureus.com/articles/275008-multiple-cystic-brain-infection-a-diagnostic-dilemma-of-neurocysticercosis-and-intracranial-tuberculoma 10.7759/cureus.66231
spellingShingle Chew, Jia Xin
Tan, Juen Kiem
Cheong, Xiong Khee
Ho, Wen Chung
Mohamed Arifin, Noorasyikin
Chinnasami, Suganthi
Md Arif, Md Hanif
Kah Chuan, Lim
Kamaludeen, Shaharudeen
Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title_full Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title_fullStr Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title_full_unstemmed Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title_short Multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
title_sort multiple cystic brain infection: a diagnostic dilemma of neurocysticercosis and intracranial tuberculoma
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118028/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118028/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118028/