ISOLATED ORBITAL CYSTICERCOSIS… CAUSE OF PTOSIS IN CABBAGE EATERS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report case of isolated orbital cysticercosis METHODS: Patients with drooping of eyelid were referred to our hospital. Patients were evaluated and investigated to find the cause of ptosis. RESULTS: Two patients with acute unilateral ptosis were referred to our hospital. Patients were investigated, blood test, stool tests and MRI were done to rule out the causes. In both the patients ptosis was due to involvement of LPS muscle by cysticercus larva. All the patients gave history of excessive consumption of cabbage and pork. The mainstay of treatment included oral albendazole (15 mg/kg/day) and oral prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, oral albendazole was stopped and oral prednisolone was slowly tapered over the next one month. The effect of above treatment was seen after few days with regression of swelling and improvement of signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Orbital cysticercus stands as one of the major causes of ptosis in the lower socioeconomic status people who are consuming mainly unhygienic leafy vegetables such as cabbage, burgers and undercooked pork. Therefore, these patients should be vigorously evaluated on scans (MRI and CT) so that early diagnosis can be made and treatment can be given to prevent the permanent visual loss or dissemination to brain.