Nonspecific dizziness as an unusual presentation of neurocysticercosis: A case report

RATIONALE: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) can cause lesions across the central nervous system, leading to varying clinical manifestations. While the presentation of nonspecific symptom is rare, they are easy to ignore. The present report documents a case of NCC that manifested as persistent dizziness. PATIENT CONCERNS: A Chinese woman visited the hospital on account of dizziness, the severity of which had increased gradually over the month prior. DIAGNOSES: Head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus. Cervical MRI revealed an abnormal object in the spinal canal at the junction of the medulla oblongata and C1, which blocked the circulation cerebrospinal fluid circulation and caused the enlargement of the ventricles. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent surgical treatment. The abnormal object was removed, and a diagnosis of NCC was considered by pathological examination. OUTCOME: The patient's dizziness resolved after surgical treatment, and no other symptoms appeared thereafter. LESSON: Clinicians should not ignore nonspecific clinical symptoms, as they may indicate hydrocephalus.