New Delhi: Doctors have successfully treated an eight-year-old girl whose brain was found to be infected with tapeworm eggs.
Doctors treating her found over 100 tapeworm eggs in girl's brain. Trushika’s (name changed) CT scan showed the presence of more than 100 cysts in the brain which, in fact, were tapeworm eggs that reached her brain through the bloodstream from the stomach.
Director, neurology, Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon, Praveen Gupta said that she was earlier diagnosed with neurocysticercosis (NCC) as she had several cysts in her brain. Because of this condition, her brainswelled so much that she required prolonged usage of steroids causing her to change from 40 kg to a bulky 60kg. Also she became breathless and unable to walk.
"However, despite such uage of heavy medication, her epileptic seizures and headache, both remained persistent." The doctors claimed that at the time of admission she was almost unconscious due to the cysts in her brain.
"A scan of the girl's brain showed more than a 100 white dots formed due to tapeworm eggs. Such an infection is caused by consuming foods infested by tapeworms. When the eggs reach the brain through the nervous system they cause NCC, characterised by a severe headache, epileptic seizures and confusion," said Dr Gupta.
The doctors treated her by reducing her swelling with decongestants and later steroids and gradually the cysts were treated by starting anthelmintic therapy under observation. Gradually, steroids and antihelminthic therapy was weaned off. She lost weight and was able to walk and resume school.
