Advanced magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in a case of neurocysticercosis from North America

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection caused by Cysticercus cellulosae, the metacestode of pork tapeworm ( Taenia solium). NCC is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. We present a patient harboring a bilobed ring-enhancing lesion with a presumed diagnosis of brain metastasis, who returned to the USA after traveling to an endemic region. The diagnosis of NCC was established based on a characteristic resonance of succinate on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Also, higher mean diffusivity and lower fractional anisotropy along with relative cerebral blood volume were observed from the lesion compared to contralateral normal brain regions. Multiparametric analysis may improve the differential diagnosis of ring-enhancing intracranial lesions such as NCC.