Undercooked Pork Led to Grandma’s Seizure & Broken Hip #InfectiousDisease A follow up from last week’s spot diagnosis 🔍. Long form educational vignettes coming SOON on our YouTube channel: 🩺🪧Diagnosis: L. hip fracture from a fall caused by a neurocystercosis induced seizure c/b disseminated cysticercosis acquired from pork tape-worm taenia solium 🪱 Life cycle of pork tape worm (Taenia solium): - Patient has 2 separate infections caused by the same tape worm (tinea solium) leading to: - 🍖🪱 Cysticercosis: ingestion of undercooked/raw infected pork➡️Tape worm embryos invade the bowel wall using their spikes (scolex) ➡️grow larger by feeding off host diet➡️ disseminate through blood into striated muscles, liver, &/or other tissues➡️in 3-8 weeks the tissue cysticerci develop (seen on imaging) - 🧠🪱Neurocystercosis: consumption of parasite eggs from pork that was contaminated with feces of a person who is a tapeworm carrier (fecal-oral)➡️ingestion of eggs that cross the GI tract➡️migrating to the brain & crossing blood brain barrier➡️larval cysts (cysticerci) develop in the brain➡️seizures 🧪 Diagnostics: - Stool test for ova & parasites - Serologic testing (PCR, antigen or antibody detection) - CSF fluid analysis (contraindicated in the setting of increased intracranial pressure) - CT - MRI 💊 Treatment: - Eye exam (r/o ocular cysticercosis which can threaten vision) - Screening for latent tuberculosis infection as well as screening or empiric therapy for strongyloidiasis if they require Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids & Anti-seizure medications if indicated - Antiparasitic therapy if indicated — 7 to 14 days in most cases (commonly albendazole or praziquantel) - F/u imaging ~every 6 months following completion of initial antiparasitic therapy, until there is resolution of the cystic lesion #Medspiration . #pork #pork🐷 #neuroscience #tapeworm #taeniasolium #fallprevention #hipfracture #radiology #usmle #medschoolproblems #pathology #medschoolproblems #medstudents #medicalstudent #medicalscience #medstudentlife #medstudygram #medstudy #meded - @medspired