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Neurocysticercosis - granular nodular

Case contributed by Melbourne Uni Radiology Masters
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Headache.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male

CT Brain

ct

There is a small enhancing lesion in the right inferior temporal gyrus.

There is adjacent vasogenic edema present.

No other lesions are seen elsewhere.

MRI Brain

mri

Small probably intra-axial lesion at the right inferior temporal gyrus corresponds to the abnormality demonstrated on CT. This demonstrates peripheral low signal on all sequences. There is surrounding T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity (probably representing vasogenic edema) and parenchymal enhancement. The suggestion of overlying leptomeningeal enhancement.

No abnormal elevation of relative cerebral blood volume (not shown).

MRS is unremarkable (not shown).

No significant mass effect.

The remainder of the brain is unremarkable.

No other lesion is demonstrated.

No abnormal diffusion restriction.

Case Discussion

Biopsy proven neurocysticercosis. The radiological features demonstrated in this case are strongly suggestive to neurocysticercosis: small cystic lesion with a scolex within. 

Remember that neurocysticercosis has four recognized stages:

  1. vesicular - visible parasite with little or no inflammation
  2. colloidal vesicular - the parasite begins to degenerate (dead) and surrounding edema and inflammation is usually present
  3. granular nodular - scolex is mineralized, cyst walls thicken and inflammatory process decrease
  4. nodular calcified - completely mineralized with no inflammation 

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