First case report of isolated pleural cysticercosis demonstrating pleuroscopic findings

Abstract

Pulmonary cysticercosis is a rare manifestation of human cysticercosis, which mostly occurs in developing countries. The disease can affect the lung parenchyma and pleura, resulting in pulmonary nodules, pneumonitis, lung cavities, or pleural effusion. We herein present a case involving a man of advanced age who presented with symptomatic eosinophilic pleural effusion. A computed tomography scan of the chest showed left pleural effusion without lung parenchymal abnormalities. Pleuroscopy revealed novel findings of cysticercal pleural nodules confirmed by histological examination. The patient was diagnosed with isolated pleural cysticercosis. His symptoms and chest radiographic abnormalities improved after treatment with anthelmintic drugs.

Keywords: Cysticercosis; Pleural effusion; Pleural nodule; Pulmonary.