Tumor in an extraocular muscle: cysticercosis

Background Cysticercosis is one of the two infections caused by Taenia soli um. It is endemic in areas with poor hygienic standards. In western countri es the patients history of previous living or travelling in endemic areas i s important. Neurocysticercosis is a manifestation with single or multiple ocular, orbital or cerebral lesions. Patient Two patients presented with severe headache and pain in the ocular region. Both patients were diagnosed to have a cystic lesion in an extraocu lar muscle. Results Both patients had a manifestation of cysticercosis. Additionally pa tient no. 1 had a myositis of this muscle, patient no. 2 had a posterior sc leritis. Conclusion Without evidence of an eosinophilia and stool ova and cysts and without a positive ELISA-test for cysticercosis the pathognomonic appearanc e of the thickened muscle, the cyst and the scolex inside should lead to th e diagnosis cysticercosis.