Morphological spectrum of Cysticercus Cellulosae on cytology in a case of a malnourished child

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by larva of Taenia solium . Human infection is caused mainly by consumption of uncooked pork. It can also occur in cases of associated immunodeficiency as a result of malnutrition. A six years old vegetarian malnourished female child presented with soft to firm painless swellings on the dorsum of both feet. On aspiration whitish fluid was obtained. Smears prepared revealed scolices, hooklets and wall like structures along with inflammatory cells consisting of lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages against a background of amorphous material. A diagnosis of cysticercosis was made. Fine needle aspiration cytology can serve as an early cost effective diagnostic tool in saving such patients from fatal neurological complications.