Report on a rare case of infestation by cysticercosis involving the cerebral subarachnoid space and the epidural space in the cervical and thoracic regions of a 59-year old female patient who presented nausea, signs of cerebelar ataxia and gradual loss of the sensibility in both legs. The diagnosis was based on magnetic resonance imaging of brain and cervical-thoracic spine demonstrating the presence of cysts in the subarachnoid spaces. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) performed on cerebrospinal fluid resulted positive and demonstrated a protein level of 420 mg/dl indicating the disease activity. Parasites were surgically removed for the necessity of thoracic spinal cord decompression. Based on findings of literature review, brief comments were made on the pathogenesis of the intradural-extramedullary spinal cysticercosis cystic form, magnetic resonance imaging findings and treatment.

Keywords: Cysticercosis, Brain, Spine, Magnetic resonance imaging