Clinical Profile of Cysticercosis in Head and Neck

Abstract

Objectives: Review of the various clinical presentations of cysticercosis in head and neck and its diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Data Sources: PubMed was searched with MeSH terms Cysticercosis, Oral cavity, Tongue, Buccal, Lip  Cheek, Neck, Muscle neck, Muscle head, Parotid, gland, Fnac, Larynx, Pharynx, Nose, Ear, Orbit, Ocular. The results were extensively reviewed to select relevant articles of isolated lesions of head and neck (other than brain) which present to clinician as a diagnostic dilemma. Review Methods: Articles generated were oral cavity(98), Tongue(128), Buccal(12), Lip(20), Cheek(9), Neck(58), Muscle neck(21), Muscle head(26), masseter(29), Temporalis(6), Parotid(11), gland(38), Fnac(19), Larynx(3), Pharynx(6), Nose(9), Ear(20), Orbit(59), Ocular(166). Out of these, 118 unique articles were selected, accessed, references reviewed to finally study 109 relevant articles. These have been studied for clinical presentation and how clinical problem was solved. Implications for Practice: Cysticercosis is usually a diagnostic dilemma in head and neck, and the diagnostic tools used in such clinical scenario, are well known, easily available and dependable. These tools like fine needle aspiration cytology and sonography, however are not the part of diagnostic criteria. Their accuracy, utilisation, and vast availability suggest their role needs addition in present diagnostic criteria. Conclusion: Cysticercosis is the major neglected tropical disease. High vigilance and prompt diagnosis is required for adequate management of this eradicable disease. Various presentations in head and neck have been described. Diagnosis based on present criteria is not always possible. Well known investigations are helpful in early and accurate diagnosis.