Minimally manipulative extraction of polycystic cervical neurocysticercosis.

CLINICAL HISTORY: Intradural, extramedullary cervical spinal involvement is an uncommon manifestation of neurocysticercosis.

CASE REPORT: A case of a middle-aged man with neurocysticercosis in the intradural extramedullary cervical spine and brain who originally presented with bilateral paresthesias of his extremities, with a progressively unsteady gait. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cystic enhancing lesions in the brain and cervical region of the spine, with the largest cyst extending from the posterior fossa through C2, causing spinal cord compression. The patient underwent surgical resection of the intradural extramedullary cervical spinal lesions, and he has continued to improve clinically, with no recurrence of cystic lesions.

CONCLUSION: When examining patients with clinical signs of a spinal mass lesion, the differential diagnosis should include neurocysticercosis of the spine.