Cysticercosis: an unusual cause of papilledema.

A case of cerebral cysticercosis with papilledema is presented in a 44-year-old Mexican woman who progressed to optic atrophy despite a ventriculoatrial shunt. The diagnosis was made on testing the cerebral spinal fluid for the indirect hemagglutination response to cysticercosis. The problems of the pork tape-worm as well as several references from the literature are discussed pertaining to ocular and cerebral involvement. Although this disease is not common in the United States we should think of it in cases of papilledema in patients from endemic areas and in those who have traveled in those areas and eaten pork not properly cooked or frozen.