Subcutaneous and intramuscular cysticercosis

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a preventable parasitic infection caused by the cestode (tapeworm) Taenia solium. In several countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, cysticercosis is endemic. In developed countries, cysticercosis is predominantly an imported disease or associated with poor regions and deprived sanitary resources. We present a case of a 94-year-old Spanish woman who was admitted to the emergency room due to a right leg trauma, edema, and superfi cial venous dilation of the same extremity. The patient came from a rural and remote area. With the suspected diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, x-ray and lower limb venous ultrasonography were performed, confi rming the presumptive diagnosis. As a casual fi nding, we discovered multiples “cigar-shaped” soft-tissue calcifi cations in both the legs and chest x-ray. Those fi ndings were compatible with muscular cysticercosis. The patient neither showed any symptom related to this pathology and nor were there neurological warning signs. Due to the age, basal conditions, and the family's request, no further studies or treatments were performed.