[Enlargement of an extraocular eye muscle: a symptom of cysticercosis].

BACKGROUND

Cysticercosis is one of the two infections caused by Taenia solium. It is endemic in areas with poor hygienic standards. In western countries the patients history of previous living or travelling in endemic areas is important. Neurocysticercosis is a manifestation with single or multiple ocular, orbital or cerebral lesions.

PATIENT: Two patients presented with severe headache and pain in the ocular region. Both patients were diagnosed to have a cystic lesion in an extraocular muscle.

RESULTS

Both patients had a manifestation of cysticercosis. Additionally patient no. 1 had a myositis of this muscle, patient no. 2 had a posterior scleritis.

CONCLUSION

Without evidence of an eosinophilia and stool ova and cysts and without a positive ELISA-test for cysticercosis the pathognomonic appearance of the thickened muscle, the cyst and the scolex inside should lead to the diagnosis cysticercosis.