title: Primary spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Larissa University Hospital, 411 10 Larissa, Greece. kpaterakis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Paterakis
authors.forename: Eutyxia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kapsalaki
authors.forename: Georgios M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hadjigeorgiou
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barbanis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fezoulidis
authors.forename: Haralampos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kourtopoulos
mesh_terms: 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