Isolated Myocysticercosis Diagnosed by Exclusion: A Case Report of Definitive Management With Surgery

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare instance of isolated myocysticercosis in a muscle without systemic effects, emphasizing the importance of considering this condition in soft tissue swellings.

Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a rare case of isolated myocysticercosis without central nervous system involvement, expanding diagnostic awareness.

Findings

Isolated myocysticercosis can occur in the gastrocnemius muscle without systemic symptoms.

Surgical intervention is a definitive treatment option for such cases.

The case highlights the need to consider myocysticercosis in differential diagnoses of soft tissue swellings.

Abstract

Cysticercosis, a parasitic ailment arising from the larval phase of Taenia solium, stands as a major health issue in the developing world. The encysted larvae can invade various body parts, with a higher prevalence in the brain, eye, skeletal muscle, and subcutaneous tissues. Isolated myocysticercosis is a rare entity and is often found to be associated with the involvement of the central nervous system. Nonetheless, we report a case of isolated myocysticercosis of the gastrocnemius muscle devoid of any systemic implications. The purpose of this case report is to consider myocysticercosis as a differential diagnosis in cases of soft tissue swellings in both vegetarian and mixed-diet individuals, as well as to discuss the available treatment options and prevention methods.

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