Cysticercosis of head and neck region

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a major public health problem especially in developing countries like ours. Disease can be prevented by increasing the public awareness about personal hygiene and sanitation. The disease commonly affects the central nervous system and the condition is referred to as neurocysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis is probably is the commonest parasitic infestation of the central nervous system (CNS). Although the extracranial involvement is exceedingly rare. The head and neck regions commonly affected are tongue, sternocleidomastoid muscle, masseter muscle and strap muscles of the neck. Isolated cases of cysticercosis have been reported in the literature in head and neck region. We are reporting the case series of seven cases of extracranial cysticercosis presenting in different parts of head neck region. Two cases presented with a tongue nodule, two cases in the region of masseter muscle, one case in the pre-maxillary region and one in the sternocleidomastiod muscle in the neck. All cases were dealt with a clinical suspicion of cysticercosis as the condition is endemic in our region. The empirical treatment was started in all the cases after demonstration of cyst on ultrasonography. The cases responded to the oral albendazole combined with corticosteroid therapy. As the disease is a common entity in our country all cases presenting with firm, long standing, single swelling in the head neck region should be dealt with suspicion of cysticercosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the hazardous intracranial complications and mortality.