An Unusual Presentation of Neurocysticercosis: A Space-Occupying Lesion in the Fourth Ventricle Associated with Progressive Cognitive Decline

  • Carolin Kurz
  • Veronika Schmidt
  • Holger Poppert
  • Patricia Wilkins
  • John Noh
  • Sven Poppert
  • Jürgen Schlegel
  • Claire Ertelt-Delbridge
  • Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
  • Andrea S Winkler

Abstract

We communicate a case of a middle-aged Brazilian patient with an unusual presentation of fourth ventricular neurocysticercosis: occurrence of two intraventricular cysts at different locations in the brain within 2 years and cognitive decline as the only neurological symptom. Neurocysticercosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, serology, histology, and genetic analysis. Neurocysticercosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases with atypical neurologic or psychiatric symptoms, atypical neuroimaging, and travel history. Especially, fourth ventricular cysts carry the risk of obstructive hydrocephalus and brainstem compression and therefore should be extirpated completely. If complete removal of the cystic structures cannot be proven in cases with surgically treated neurocysticercosis, anthelminthic therapy and thorough follow-up examinations should be conducted.

Bibliographical data

Original languageEnglish
ISSN0002-9637
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30.11.2015
Externally publishedYes
PubMed 26621562