Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Cysticercosis: “Rice grain” or “Cigar Shaped” Appearance

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Taenia solium, a pork tapeworm. The disease is endemic in virtually all developing countries in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa [1]. Also, it can be found in non-endemic regions in immigrant populations, or in people who have traveled to endemic regions [2]. The perpetuation of this parasitic disease is related to poor sanitation and hygiene. The symptoms of cysticercosis vary according to the affected system, the cyst burden, and the host’s immune response to the infection. We present a case of a 40-year-old male patient diagnosed HIV positive for 5 years ago, and treated using antiretroviral (ARV) drug, who presented with a chief complaint of fatigue and myalgia as part of a general assessment, a cerebral and thoracoabdominal CT scan was performed and revealed multiples ‘‘Rice-grain’’ soft-tissue calcifications. Those findings were compatible with muscular cysticercosis.