Primary spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis.
BACKGROUND
Spinal cysticercosis represents an uncommon localization of a common parasitic disease and, in most cases, is associated with intracranial involvement. Once confirmed, the entire neuraxis should be evaluated.


METHODS
We present an unusual case of a 60-year-old male patient with isolated localization of spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis. The patient was treated successfully with the combination of surgical excision and orally administered albendanzole. We discuss the treatment options, the diagnostic screening, and the possible route of dissemination.


CONCLUSIONS
Because this is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease, clinicians should always take it into consideration in the differential diagnosis of spinal space-occupying lesions.
Paterakis
Konstantinos N
KN
Department of Neurosurgery, Larissa University Hospital, 411 10 Larissa, Greece. kpaterakis@yahoo.com
Kapsalaki
Eutyxia
E
Hadjigeorgiou
Georgios M
GM
Barbanis
Stylianos
S
Fezoulidis
Ioannis
I
Kourtopoulos
Haralampos
H
D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy