A 25-year-old man presents with new-onset seizures. MRI shows a cystic brain lesion with a scolex. Which parasite is responsible for this condition?

• A Entamoeba histolytica
• B Taenia saginata
• C Echinococcus granulosus
• D Taenia solium ✓

Explanation

The finding of a scolex within a cystic brain lesion is diagnostic of neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). Taenia saginata causes beef tapeworm infection but not cysticercosis. Echinococcus causes hydatid cysts, and Entamoeba causes amoebic abscesses.

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.