Neurocysticercosis presenting with psychosis

Introduction

Neurocysticercosis, the infection caused by the larval form of the tape worm Taenia Solium is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. The disease presents it with spectrum of clinical manifestations like seizure, headache, neurological deficit and psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis. Even though most commonly patients present with seizure, rarely it may produce symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorder such as psychosis.

Case description

Here we are going to report a case of a patient 31-year-old Nepali male who presented to our emergency department with features of acute psychosis. Later on with diagnostic imaging like CT head and MRI brain was discovered to have multiple neurosysticercosis one in the right frontal region and the other in the right inferior cerebellar region. Patient was admitted to the inpatient and was managed with anthelminthic, antipsychotic and steroids.

Results and conclusions

Patient condition improved and he is on regular follow up in psychiatry and neurology clinic.

Take-home message

Although it is rare for neurocysticercosis to present with psychosis, always keep a high index of suspicion especially in patients from endemic areas.