Doctors initially suspected metastatic brain cancer in a 60-year-old Spanish man after CT scans revealed multiple abnormal spots in his brain. However, further testing confirmed a rare parasitic infection known as neurocysticercosis, caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).
The patient, a lifelong resident of Castellón, Spain, had not traveled to regions where the disease is endemic, according to a case report published in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. He had experienced two weeks of progressive headaches and mild behavioral changes before seeking medical attention.
Whole-body scans, a colonoscopy, and specialized imaging failed to identify any cancer, leading neurologists to perform a more detailed MRI. The scan revealed several fluid-filled cysts in the brain, some containing the head of a tapeworm. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
The man was treated with a combination of albendazole and praziquantel, two antiparasitic medications, along with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. He successfully recovered with no complications. The case report suggested the infection may have occurred years earlier after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs, possibly through contact with migrant coworkers from regions where neurocysticercosis is endemic.
Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the pork tapeworm. While rare in developed countries, it remains a significant health concern in regions with poor sanitation and pork consumption practices.