Racemose neurocysticercosis simulating tuberculous meningitis

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022 Nov;41(11):1361-1364. doi: 10.1007/s10096-022-04498-1. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Abstract

We report a patient with racemose neurocysticercosis, highlighting the diagnostic and management issues. A 37-year-old male had headaches, fever, and seizures for 8 months. He had a positive tuberculin test, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and hydrocephalus and exudates on MRI. His symptoms rapidly resolved following antitubercular and prednisolone treatment. After 2 months, he was readmitted with headache and vomiting, and his brain MRI revealed communicating hydrocephalus with a cyst in the lateral ventricle and subarachnoid space, which was confirmed as neurocysticercosis on the third ventriculostomy. The patient was managed with dexamethasone and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This case highlights that meningitis symptoms, CSF pleocytosis, and positive tuberculin tests may not always suggest tubercular etiology.

Keywords: MRI; Meningitis; Neurocysticercosis; Racemose; Third ventriculostomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus* / etiology
  • Leukocytosis
  • Male
  • Neurocysticercosis* / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis* / diagnosis
  • Neurocysticercosis* / drug therapy
  • Prednisolone
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal* / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Dexamethasone
  • Prednisolone