A diagnostic analysis of imaging in ocular cysticercosis

Objective: To discuss B-ultrasonography, CT and MRI appearances and image diagnostic value for ocular cysticercosis.

Methods: In the 29 cases with ocular cysticercosis, 21 cases were examined by B-ultrasonography, 19 cases by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and 6 cases by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results: At the living stage of the cysticercus, B-ultrasound might detect parasitic cyst and its movement in the eyeball and orbit, extraocular muscle irregular hyperplasia; CT might detect parasitic cyst in the orbit and the pathologic extraocular muscle; MRI might detect the parasitic cyst in the eyeball and the orbit and the pathologic extraocular muscle. At the non-living stage of the cysticercus, B-ultrasonography and CT might discover calcification focus in the eyeball and extraocular muscle.

Conclusions: Image appearances of ocular cysticercosis depend on the parasitic site and living status of cysticercus in the eye region. For diagnosis, B-ultrasonography may first be selected, MRI secondly selected for living stage and CT secondly selected for non-living stage of the ocular cysticercosis.