Secondary Bacterial Infection of a Solitary Cysticercus Granuloma

The most common presenting form of neurocysticercosis in the Indian subcontinent is a solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG). Patients with typical SCGs almost never require any form of surgical intervention. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of bacterial superinfection of a left frontal SCG in a 23-year-old female, resulting in severe perilesional edema and mass effect. The patient had to undergo an emergency left decompressive hemicraniectomy and excision of the infected granuloma. Serum enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) for cysticercal antibodies was positive and histopathological examination of the lesion revealed a cysticercus. The culture of the pus from within the lesion grew vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. for which she was treated with linezolid for 6 weeks. At 6 months follow-up, she had residual motor dysphasia, right homonymous hemianopia, and right hemiparesis but was steadily improving. Secondary bacterial infection of an SCG is very uncommon and can be devastating. A high index of suspicion is therefore required when there is disproportionate perilesional edema and mass effect.

Keywords: Bacterial; neurocysticercosis; solitary cysticercus granuloma; superinfection.