A 20-year-old farmer from Bihar presents with recurrent generalized seizures. CT shows a single calcified lesion 8 mm in diameter in the right parietal cortex with no surrounding edema. Serology is positive for antibodies against Taenia solium. What is the pathological basis of the calcified lesion?

• A Healed granuloma from Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
• B Dead and mineralized cysticercus larva following host immune destruction ✓
• C Calcified arteriovenous malformation nidus
• D Dystrophic calcification within a low-grade astrocytoma

Explanation

Neurocysticercosis follows ingestion of Taenia solium eggs, with oncospheres hematogenously seeding the brain and developing into cysticerci. As the larva dies, the host inflammatory response destroys it and the cyst collapses, ultimately leaving a mineralized nodule that is a common seizure focus in endemic regions like India. Tuberculomas are usually larger with surrounding edema and ring enhancement when active. Calcification within astrocytomas occurs in the tumor itself, not as a solitary healed parasitic nodule.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.