Cysticercosis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis

Subcutaneous cysticercosis primarily manifests as multiple freely mobile nodules. Its primary significance is as an indicator of possible neurocysticercosis. Cysticerci may also invade skeletal muscle, giving rise to myositis (fever, myalgias, eosinophilia) and sometimes pseudohypertrophy. Intraocular cysticercosis may lead to vision loss.
Neurocysticercosis is the most serious manifestation of cysticercosis and is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide. In addition to seizures, the presence of cysticerci in the brain may lead to stroke, meningitis / encephalitis, increased intracranial pressure, focal neurologic deficits, dementia, or death.
Cysticercosis is endemic to Mexico and Latin America, Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia, China, and southeastern Asia. The incidence of this important parasitic disease is rising in the United States, especially in California and other states with a large immigrant population. In a nationwide study examining hospitalization frequency for neurocysticercosis in the United States between 2003 and 2012, Hispanic individuals were at the highest risk, in particular males aged 20-44 years.
Codes
ICD10CM:B69.9 – Cysticercosis, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
59051007 – Cysticercosis
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Skin lesions:- Neurofibroma
- Epidermoid cyst
- Scrofula
- Subcutaneous sarcoidosis
- Lipoma
- Ganglion cyst
- Metastatic carcinoma
- Onchocerca nodules
- Lymphadenopathy – benign or malignant
- Encephalitis
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Migraine
- Subdural hematoma or epidural hematoma
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Last Reviewed:01/31/2022
Last Updated:02/02/2022
Last Updated:02/02/2022