Curious Subcutaneous Swellings: A Case of Pediatric Myocysticercosis

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the tape worm, Cysticercus cellulosae, chiefly affecting the subcutaneous tissue, central nervous system, orbit, and the skeletal muscles. It occurs in human due to ingestion of contaminated water or raw meat of pig. We hereby present a case of a 6-year-old female presenting with multiple subcutaneous swellings of 3 months' duration, associated with painful movement and associated with a history of on and off fever and malaise. Local part ultrasonography revealed multiple cystic lesions in the muscular plane, with peripheral streak of calcification indicative of scolex. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the lesions showed revealed degenerated and viable polymorphs, macrophages, few lymphocytes, and foreign body giant cells with foci of necrosis, with occasional hooklets of parasite, with findings suggestive of parasitic infection in neck with acute on chronic inflammation. Computed tomography (CT) scan of brain was normal. Thus, clinical, radiological, and cytological findings confirmed the diagnosis of myocysticercosis. This case is presented because of the rareness of its occurrence.