Recurrent Tetraplegia in Mixed Type Neurocysticercosis: A case report

ABSTRACT

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. Generally, the spinal cord involvement of neurocysticercosis is very rare. We experienced a 52-year-old female patient presented with tetraplegia. She was diagnosed as mixed type neurocysticercosis involving brain parenchyma, ventricle and cervical spinal cord. She underwent an operation of intradural mass removal with cervical laminectomy. In spite of gradual improvement in activities of daily livings, muscle power and sensation, she revealed the fluctuation of mental status and tetraplegia, possibly associated with perilesional inflammation, twice during the period of admission. So, we administered prednisolone 20 mg and albendazole 800 mg a day for a week per event and then her mental status and aggravated tetraplegia were improved. After comprehensive rehabilitation for 4 months, her ASIA impairment scale changed from ASIA C to ASIA D with the improvement of modified Bathel index, Functional independence measure and Mini-mental status examination scores.