Fine-needle aspiration cytology of subcutaneous cysticercosis: A series of five cases

Abstract

Taenia solium, a potentially dangerous parasite, causes human cysticercosis that can cause a gamut of manifestations affecting the various systems of the body. Sometimes, parasitic infestations present as only superficial palpable subcutaneous or intramuscular nodules that are usually mistaken for lymph nodes or benign tumors like lipoma, neurofibroma, or epidermal inclusion cysts. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has emerged as a useful tool in the diagnosis of these superficial parasitic lesions. It also helps in avoiding unnecessary open biopsy to obtain a diagnosis. We, herein, report a series of five cases of subcutaneous cysticercosis at different sites (axilla, chest wall, abdominal wall, lateral neck, and cheek) misdiagnosed as lipomas and lymph nodes and finally diagnosed on FNAC.