On March 16, Ayun Pa Medical Center, Gia Lai province, just received patient K.D (76 years old, Buon Banh, Ayun Pa ward) admitted to the hospital in a coma.
Through examination, doctors determined that the patient was infected with parasites that caused brain damage. The patient has a history of alcoholism, often eating raw and processed foods. 2 days before being admitted to the hospital, the patient appeared symptoms: dull headache, fatigue, poor appetite.
After that, the condition gradually worsened, the patient suddenly collapsed, did not wake up, and had whole-body convulsions, so his family took him to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Through clinical examination and necessary paraclinical tests, especially a CT scan of the skull, doctors recorded many cystic lesions in brain parenchyma of varying sizes.
In addition, CT scans also revealed images of subdural hematoma in the chronic stage of the left cerebral hemisphere...
After 3 days of treatment, the patient's condition gradually got under control, vital signs became more stable and consciousness gradually improved.
It is known that brain tapeworms appear when humans accidentally swallow the eggs of Taenia solium. After entering the body, the eggs hatch into larvae, traveling through the bloodstream to many organs, of which the most dangerous is the brain.
When parasitizing in the brain, they can cause cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, convulsions, consciousness disorders, and even lead to coma.
To prevent the disease, people need to eat cooked food and drink cooked water, especially do not eat raw or uncooked pork. Manage livestock hygiene, avoid letting pigs eat contaminated food sources. Examine and treat early when there are symptoms such as prolonged headaches, convulsions or consciousness disorders.
