Boy’s headaches, vomiting and blurry vision caused by giant parastitic cyst of tapeworm eggs in his brain
The 12-year-old was diagnosed with a cyst full of tapeworm eggs lodged in the right side of his brain
A 12-year-old boy suffering agonising headaches, projectile vomiting and blurry vision was diagnosed with a giant parastitic cyst in his brain.
The cyst, lodged in the right side of his brain, contained tapeworm eggs, doctors discovered.
The cause, was a disease known as Echinococcus granulosus or hydatid worm, hyper tapeworm or dog tapeworm.
The infection typically affects the liver and lungs but in rare cases, the brain.
It is endemic in parts of the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, South America and central and southern Europe, doctors note in the journal BMJ Case Reports.
They note their 12-year-old patient visited hospital complaining of suffering headaches and projectile vomiting for around six months.
He complained of occasional blurry vision but claimed not to have suffered seizures, dizziness or fever - other common symptoms.
After tests revealed normal muscle strength, sensitivity and reflexes, and that his heart and lungs were all clear, doctors ordered an MRI scan.
The scans showed a "well-defined right parietal cystic lesion".
The doctors added: "The MRI findings were suggestive of a hydatid cyst."