Intradural extramedullary cystic lesions: an interesting cauda equina cysticercosis case report and a literature review

Intraspinal cysticercosis, usually with serious neurological deterioration, is rarely diagnosed because its clinical manifestations are nonspecific, and most physicians might not be familiar with its imaging features.

A 50-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of increasing pain in her right buttock, rectal tenesmus and uncontrolled micturition. Intradural extramedullary cystic lesion was found, and the characteristic MRI findings of a living cysticercus and a dying cysticercus were presented simultaneously. Finally, the giant intraspinal cysticercus was treated by surgery and antiparasitic treatment.

This case emphasizes that the characteristic imaging findings of different cysticercus cysts as well as the detailed personal history usually provide useful diagnostic clues. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis may aid in confirming the diagnosis.