Temporalis cysticerci - A diagnostic dilemma and review of literature

Cysticercosis is a systemic parasitic infestation caused by ingesting the eggs of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. The central nervous system (CNS) is the most important primary site of infection and disease can present with solitary or multiple space-occupying lesion. Other organs like subcutaneous tissues, muscles, heart, liver, lungs, and peritoneum are more frequently affected but maxillofacial region involvement is rare. The diagnosis of cysticercose is evoked on US examination and CT scan, but confirmation is only possible by Fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] or histological examination in case of surgical removal of the oral lesion which can identify the Taenia solium larva. Solitary intramuscular cysticercosis in maxillofacial region, without involvement of CNS is a rare entity. We present a rare case of solitary temporalis muscle involvement without any systemic or neurologic infestation, which presented the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma along with review of literature.