Removing Worms From the Brain
Although the blood-brain barrier protects the brain most of the time, occasionally a parasite will "worm" its way in, a condition known as neurocysticercosis. Most commonly this parasitic brain worm is the pork tapeworm, but blood flukes (roundworms) are also known to invade the brain. Either of these organisms can cause damage and even death. Often appearing as tumors on brain scans, these worms may not be recognized until the neurosurgeon is in the process of brain surgery to remove them.
Symptoms
Invasion by both the pork tapeworm and blood fluke can cause neurological problems, like seizures, loss of sensation or motor control, cognitive difficulty and impaired speech. This can be due to either cysts forming in the brain tissue or blockage of the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to brain cells. This condition, neurocysticercosis, used to be confined to countries with inadequate water and food sanitation, but since 1980 has been increasing in frequency in the United States.
Medication
According to the Mayo Clinic, several drugs can help eliminate or manage invasive worms in the brain. These include anti-inflammatory medications, anthelmintic medications, and anti-epileptic therapies. Though anthelmintics can shrink cysts in the tissue, anti-inflammatories and anti-epileptics only manage the symptoms that occur from parasite infection. Once a worm is established in the brain tissue and causing neurological and cognitive deficits, surgery to remove the parasite is the only course at present.
Surgery
Surgery may be conducted to either alleviate pressure on the brain (hydrocephalus) or to remove the cysts caused by the worm or the worm itself. To relieve "water on the brain," a neurosurgeon inserts a shunt, a permanent tube that allows fluid to drain from the brain.
Brain worms sometimes appear as tumors on a CAT scan or MRI. In 2008, a surgeon discovered a parasitic worm in the brain of a Phoenix woman originally diagnosed with a brain tumor. Once inside the brain, the surgeon pulled out the worm with a surgical instrument and the woman's symptoms-dizziness, numbness, tingling, loss of appetite and motor control-disappeared. Though she had to learn to walk and balance post-surgery, no evidence of the worm remains.
Prevention
Prevent parasite infection through hygiene and proper food selection and preparation. Tapeworm and roundworm eggs and larvae are transmitted by a feces to hand to mouth route or by eating undercooked contaminated meats. Wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 15 seconds before preparing or eating food. Cook pork to an inner temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit and ground meats to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Purchase food from a reputable, certified and regularly inspected vendor.
Tags: brain tissue, degrees Fahrenheit, parasite infection, pork tapeworm, pork tapeworm blood, Removing Worms