evaluation of imaging patterns of extra-cranial cysticercosis in north india

Objectives: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the site-specific incidence of extra-cranial cysticercosis and to study the imaging spectrum of cysticercosis at extra-cranial locations. Material/Methods: The study included a total of 57 sites of involvement in 55 patients over a period of two years. All the patients with imaging-based diagnosis of cysticercosis at extra-cranial locations were studied to determine the imaging patterns. Results: These extra-cranial locations included orbit (8.7% of all sites), extra-orbital skeletal muscles (19.44%), skin & subcutaneous tissue (5.2%), parotid gland (3.5%), and miscellaneous (1.75%). Visualization of a cyst with an eccentric nodule was present in 37.2%, while cyst without any definite eccentric nodule was seen at 62.8% extra-cranial sites. Rounded cyst morphology was seen at 24.4% sites, while 75.6% sites showed deformed cysts in extra-cranial cysticercosis. Discussion: Cysticercosis is commonly seen at extra-cranial locations and often manifest with several common and uncommon patterns. Typical imaging morphology of cysticercosis is less common at extra-cranial locations, as compared to intra-cranial sites and probably account for diagnostic delays.