South Korean Doctors Successfully Remove Parasite from Brain of Patient Initially Suspected of Having a Brain Tumor

A team of South Korean doctors has successfully identified and removed a parasitic infection from the brain of a patient in her 40s, whose symptoms—including headaches and vomiting—had initially led doctors to suspect a brain tumor. In a rare and complex procedure, the team successfully removed the living parasite from the patient’s brain.

A joint research team led by Professor Baek Sun Ha of Seoul National University Hospital’s Department of Neurosurgery and Professor Park Hye Ran of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul shared their findings on Monday. After being admitted to Seoul National University Hospital, the patient, a woman in her 40s, was diagnosed with sparganosis, a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of a tapeworm.

Spirometra, a parasitic tapeworm, causes sparganosis. The parasite’s eggs hatch into larvae, which migrate through the body, causing inflammation and pain. Although sparganosis can infect various body parts, it is rare for these larvae to reach the brain.

The infection typically occurs when someone consumes contaminated water, undercooked wild animal meat, or raw fish.

In this case, the patient presented with severe headaches and vomiting, prompting her visit to the hospital. Initially, doctors suspected a brain tumor, given the nature of her symptoms.

An MRI scan revealed an irregular tumor-like lesion in the left occipital lobe of the brain. The lesion’s characteristics suggested a brain tumor, and surgery was recommended. However, after experiencing a brief improvement in her symptoms, the patient declined treatment and was discharged.

Seven months later, the patient returned to the hospital with worsening symptoms, including severe headaches and full-body seizures. A follow-up MRI revealed that the lesion had moved from the occipital lobe to the left parietal lobe near the top of the brain.

At this point, the medical team, considering the patient’s history of drinking contaminated pond water and eating undercooked wild animal meat and raw fish, suspected a parasitic infection and conducted additional tests.

The medical team performed further tests, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, to confirm the presence of a parasitic infection. The results revealed the presence of sparganosis antibodies, confirming the diagnosis.

A biopsy of the tissue at the site of the lesion showed an inflammatory granuloma, where macrophages had gathered to fight the parasite.

After confirming the diagnosis, the team successfully removed the living sparganosis larvae from the patient’s brain through a craniotomy, a procedure that involved opening the skull to access the brain.

Baek Sun Ha explained, “When imaging studies show movement in a lesion, the possibility of a parasitic infection should always be considered. Early detection is key to successful treatment.”

He also emphasized the importance of prevention, stating, “To avoid parasitic infections, it is crucial to avoid drinking contaminated water and to ensure that wild animal meat and fish are thoroughly cooked. Following proper hygiene practices is also essential.”

Park Hye Ran added, “If sparganosis is left untreated, the neurological damage caused by the parasite can become permanent. This makes early detection and prompt treatment absolutely vital.”

The findings of this groundbreaking study were published in the latest issue of Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.