Surgical removal of subretinal cysticercosis in conjunction with administration of intravenous methylprednisolone: A case report

Abstract

Purpose: Intraocular cysticercosis in the sub-macular location is a rare but potentially blinding disease. The management requires immediate surgical management and anti-parasitic medications. We present a case of subretinal cysticercosis that was managed with a novel method of intravenous methylprednisolone administration before and after it was surgically removed. Observations: A 17-year-old Indian female patient presented to our clinic with a history of vision deterioration through the last 27 days in her left eye (OS). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in the right eye (OD) and hand motion OS. Fundus examination showed a healthy-appearing OD and a whitish glow in the macular region OS. She was diagnosed with subretinal cysticercosis and underwent pars plana vitrectomy with in toto removal of the cyst along with pre/post-surgical intravenous methylprednisolone and anti-parasitic medications. A significant visual recovery of 20/60 was achieved three weeks following the surgery in OS. Conclusion and importance: The index case shows a favorable visual recovery in a patient with a subfoveal cyst of relatively long duration. We hypothesize that intravenous methylprednisolone in conjunction with routine treatment may have led to favorable visual outcomes.