An Incidental Finding of Granular Nodular Neurocysticercosis on Brain CT-Scan: A Case Report
Keywords:
Computed tomography scan, incidental finding, neurocysticercosis, taenia soliumAbstract
Introduction
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the commonest central nervous system (CNS) parasitic infection of Taenia solium larva, stands as a significant yet preventable cause of severe neurological morbidity globally. Although computed tomography (CT) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are reliable tool for its diagnosis, prevention and early diagnosis is essential to avoid long-term sequelae
Case Presentation
This report details the case of a 49-year-old woman with intermittent headache, several seizure episodes, and neck stiffness. A non-contrast and contrast-enhanced brain computed tomography (CT) scan incidentally revealed multiple, round, hypodense lesions strategically located at the grey-white matter junctions within the frontotemporoparietal lobes and the cerebellum. These lesions, measuring between 3-7 mm, demonstrated characteristic post-contrast rim enhancement and were surrounded by perilesional edema, findings highly consistent with the granular nodular stage of NCC. The patient was then treated with antiepileptics, corticosteroids, and anthelmintic drugs.
Conclusions
This case higlights the role of neuroimaging in the incidental diagnosis of NCC and its diverse radiological spectrum, particularly in the granular nodular stage, which can pose diagnostic challenges if not carefully considered.
References
Del Brutto OH, Arroyo G, Del Brutto VJ, et al. Neurocysticercosis: an update. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20(11):899-908
Del Brutto OH. Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview. Pathogens. 2022; 11(10):1212
Prasad A, Chaccour C, Gabarre C, Bouteille B, Preux PM, Carme B. Neurocysticercosis: A Review into Treatment Options, Indications, and Their Efficacy. Revue Neurologique. 2023;179(6-7):399-409. DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2023.04.004
Stelzle D, Abraham A, Kaminski M, Schmidt V, De Meijere R, Bustos J, et al. Clinical characteristics and management of neurocysticercosis patients: a retrospective assessment of case reports from Europe. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2023;30(Supplement 1):taad073.406. DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad073.406
Ryan.T, Blond BN The prevalence of and contributors to neurocysticercosis in endemic regions. J Neurol Sci. 2022;441:120393.
Castillo G, Fustamante L, Delgado-Kamiche AD, Camen-Orozco A, et al. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic effects in neurocysticercosis. Brain Pathology. 2024;34(5):e13237
Haes, Tissiana M, Thales PF, Osvaldo MT. Advances and Controversies in the Diagnosis and Management of Neurocysticercosis: A Clinical Perspective. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy. 2025;23(9):705–22.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Christian Hasudungan Nainggolan, Muhammad Irvanie Rama Harahap, Yulia Rachmawati, Terawan Agus Putranto (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors publishing here keep copyright but grant the journal first publication rights, under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License. They can distribute their work non-exclusively elsewhere with an acknowledgment of its first publication in this journal. Posting the work online before and during submission for earlier and greater citation is encouraged, reflecting Open Access benefits.
