Isolated spinal neurocysticercosis

A 46-year-old woman from Brazil complained about increasing headaches for 2 weeks. On admission, she presented with neck rigidity and disorientation. The cranial MRI was unremarkable (figure 1A). The cerebrospinal fluid showed 133 leucocytes/μL with 38% eosinophils. Serum anticysticercal antibodies were 106 (ELISA, standard value ≤0). The spinal cord MRI showed one cystic lesion in the cervical subarachnoid space and multiple cystic lesions in the lumbar subarachnoid space (figure 1B–D). A diagnosis of pure spinal neurocysticercosis was made. Anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory treatment was initiated with albendazol (2×400 mg/day) and steroids (prednisone 60 mg/day) for 4 weeks. During this treatment, the patient's symptoms improved …