Isolated Forearm Swelling - A Rare Presentation of Soft Tissue Cysticercosis

Cysticercosis is a common human infestation in the developing world. Neurocysticercosis is the most common clinical presentation of cysticercal infestation in the human body, but it may be rarely encountered in other body parts like skeletal muscle, subcutaneous tissue and eye. We report this case of an uncommon clinical presentation of soft tissue cysticercosis as an isolated forearm swelling. Only a few cases of cysticercosis presenting as isolated swelling in any body part have been reported in literature. A 30 year old lady presented with a painless swelling in the left forearm for about one year. It was diagnosed as cysticercosis located in the intermuscular plane between the brachioradialis and pronator teres and above the supinator muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) of the forearm confirmed a cystic lesion and revealed a scolex. She was treated with albendazole and steroids for three weeks but did not respond to medical treatment. The swelling was surgically excised. Hisptopathological examination of the cyst confirmed cysticercosis. Soft tissue cysticercosis presenting as an isolated forearm swelling is a rare presentation of cysticercosis. Treating physicians and surgeons need to have a high index of clinical suspicion for cysticercosis, especially in endemic areas in the developing nations, to facilitate an early diagnosis. Through this case report we also highlight that cysticercosis can be easily diagnosed by non invasive investigations like MRI and USG. It is usually medically treatable but may occasionally require surgical intervention as was needed in our case. This document gives formatting instructions for authors preparing papers for publication in the journal. Authors are encouraged to prepare manuscripts directly using this template. This template demonstrates format requirements for the Journal.