Raceomose spinal cysticercosis

KEYWORDS:

• Infection
• parasite
• spine
• cysticercosis

Dear editor, the publication on racemose spinal cysticercosis is very interesting [1]. Yacoub et al. reported a case and discussed the diagnosis and treatment [1]. Yacoub et al. mentioned that ‘although the spinal cord is frequently involved in patients with parenchymal neurocysticercosis, isolated spinal involvement is rare, occurring in only 1–3% of patients’ [1]. I would like to share ideas and experience on the case. First, the diagnosis of the disease is usually delayed and required final approval by surgical pathology examination. Second, the management usually requires surgical removal of the parasite. The patients usually have no clinical symptoms until there is a compression [2]. The unexplained back pain might be the early presentation [2]. In any cases with neurocysticercosis, whole body scanning should be done to find whether there is any hidden silent cysts in other organs [3]. Finally, it is evidenced that the racemose cysticercosis is more common in the patients with underlying HIV infection [4]. Hence, the investigation on possible concurrent immunodeficiency problem is required.

Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.