Oral cysticercosis: A systematic review of published case reports

Abstract

Objective: To consolidate the scarce and scattered evidence on oral cysticercosis, a rare and often overlooked manifestation of Taenia solium infection.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in three major databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. A total of 75 records were initially identified (PubMed: n=23; Scopus: n=29; Embase: n=23). After screening and eligibility assessment, 22 studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for final analysis.

Results: Oral cysticercosis primarily involved the tongue, typically presenting as a painless swelling. The majority of reported cases were from India. Clinically, it was most often misdiagnosed as a mucocele or fibroma, with cysticercosis rarely considered due to its uncommon occurrence. Among the muscles affected, the masseter, mentalis, and buccinator were most frequently involved. Diagnosis was primarily made through histopathological examination. Treatment commonly included surgical excision, and albendazole was the most frequently used antiparasitic medication. Recurrence was uncommon, except in cases with disseminated or deep muscular involvement.

Conclusions: Oral cysticercosis should be considered a potential differential diagnosis, particularly in regions where pork consumption is common. Given that most reported cases originated from India, pathologists in this region should maintain a high index of suspicion. Oral pathologists, in particular, should be well- acquainted with its histopathological features to ensure accurate diagnosis and avoid diagnostic pitfalls.

Keywords

Cysticercosis / Cyst / Parasite / Oral cavity

References

[1] Bansal N, Mohanty S, Kadanthode M, Kumar P. Review of cysticercosis of maxillofacial region and report of two cases. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2022; 123(6): e760-e769.

[2] Kusnoto K, Khairullah AR, Sunarso A, Suprihati E, Aryaloka S, Sawitri DH, et al. The hidden threat of cysticercosis: A neglected public health problem. Open Vet J 2025; 15(3): 1101-1115.

[3] Bhardwaj S, Rather G. Fine needle aspiration cytology of cysticercosis: A study of 30 cases. J Cytol 2019; 36(1): 18-21.

[4] Alroy KA, Arroyo G, Gilman RH, Gonzales-Gustavson E, Gallegos L, Gavidia CM, et al. Carotid Taenia solium oncosphere infection: A novel porcine neurocysticercosis model. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 99(2): 380-387.

[5] De Souza P, Barreto D, Fonseca LDS, De Paula AB, Silva E, Gomez R. Cysticercosis of the oral cavity: Report of seven cases. Oral Dis 2000; 6(4): 253-255.

[6] Aung AK, Spelman DW. Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis in Southeast Asia. Am Soc Trop Med Hyg 2016; 94(5): 947-954.

[7] Paulus S, Abdulloh M, Wardah RI, Cindy C. Long-term albendazole therapy for diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis in an immunocompetent patient: A case report. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2023; 16(2): 89-91.

[8] Hosur MB, Byakodi S, Puranik RS, Vanaki SS, Puranik SR, Shivakumar MS. Oral cysticercosis: A case report and review of literature. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2015; 14(3): 853-857.

[9] Sciutto E, Fragoso G, Fleury A, Laclette JP, Sotelo J, Aluja A, et al. Taenia solium disease in humans and pigs: An ancient parasitosis disease rooted in developing countries and emerging as a major health problem of global dimensions. Microbes Infect 2000; 2(15): 1875-1890.

[10] Singh C, Devi MP, Sagar K. Tiny creature in oral cavity: A case report. JCDR 2017; 11(9): ZD04-ZD05.

[11] Chakraborty P, Kumari R, Jain RK, Prasad V, Pradhan S, Joshi P. Solitary head and neck cysticercosis: A series of rare cases. Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 29(95): 347-351.

[12] Subramanian B, Krishnaraj S, Agrawal K, Soundararagavan J. Cysticercosis of the oral cavity: An often misdiagnosed entity. J Laryngol Otol 2008; 122(9): 1005-1007.

[13] Krishnamoorthy B, Suma GN, Dhillon M, Srivastava S, Sharma ML, Malik SS. Encysted Tenia solium larva of oral cavity: Case report with review of literature. Contemp Clin Dent 2012; 3(Suppl 2): S228-S232.

[14] Sathe NU, Acharya RG, Patil M, Bhatia A, Chiplunkar D. An unusual case of labial cysticercosis with a natural history. Natl J Maxillofac Surg 2011; 2(1): 100-102.

[15] Devulapalli R, Bangi B, Nadendla L, Pokala A. Oral cysticercosis: A rare case presentation with ultrasound and MRI findings. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol 2015; 27(2): 322-326.

[16] Sagar M, Rawat S, Singh A, Anuragini . Lower lip cysticercosis: An unusual case report. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2023; 27(Suppl 1): S95-S97.

[17] Meher R, Gupta B, Aggarwal S, Passey JC. Cysticercosis of tongue-A case report. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006; 58(2): 185-187.

[18] Manikandan G, James V, Chandrasekaran C, Varghese S. An atypical case of cutaneous cysticercosis in buccal mucosa. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2020; 24(3): 591.

[19] Singh A, Gautam P, Handa AC, Handa KK. Oral cysticercosis: A case series and review of literature. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2018; 76(12): 2572-2576.

[20] Pujani M, Hassan MJ, Khan S, Jetley S. Isolated lingual cysticercosis: A rare case diagnosed on cytology. Diagn Cytopathol 2018; 46(3): 277-279.

[21] Kulkarni PG, Palakurthy P, Muddana K, Nandan RK. Oral cysticercosis-A diagnostic dilemma. J Clin Diagn Res 2015; 9(6): ZD01-ZD02.

[22] Khare P, Chauhan N, Dogra R, Kala P, Chand P. Isolated cysticercosis of tongue: A case report. Diagn Cytopathol 2014; 42(8): 716-718.

[23] Chaurasia RN, Jaiswal S, Gautam D, Mishra VN. Masseter muscle cysticercosis: A common disease with uncommon presentation. BMJ Case Rep 2013; 2013: bcr2013009127.

[24] Wanjari SP, Patidar KA, Parwani RN, Tekade SA. Oral cysticercosis: A clinical dilemma. BMJ Case Rep 2013; 2013: bcr2012007482.

[25] Dysanoor S, Pol J. A solitary facial nodular swelling-A case report of intramuscular cysticercosis in buccinator muscle. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(3): 235-239.

[26] Singh S, Chhabra S, Aggarwal G, Kalra R, Duhan A, Sen R. Oral cysticercosis-a rare presentation. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011; 4(7): 587-588.

[27] Kumar Bd, Meghana S, Dave B. Cysticercosis of masseter. Indian J Dent Res 2011; 22(4): 617.

[28] Asopa K, Gumber P, Sarawgi A, Dutta S, Goenka P. Oral cysticercosis in a pediatric patient: A rare case report with review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016; 9(2): 156-161.

[29] Mahajan S, Agrawal P, Datarkar A, Borle R. Oral cysticercosis: A case report. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2009; 8(1): 85-87.

[30] Elias FM, Martins MT, Foronda R, Jorge WA, Araújo NSD. Oral cysticercosis: Case report and review of the literature. Rev Inst Med Trop São Paulo 2005; 47(2): 95-98.

[31] Pinswasdi P, Charoensiri DJ. Cysticercosis in labial tissue. Case report. Aust Dent J 1997; 42(5): 319-321.

[32] Bizhani N, Hashemi HS, Mohammadi N, Rezaei M, Rokni MB. Human cysticercosis in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Iran J Public Health 2020; 49(10): 1839-1847.

[33] Nair PP, Nair KK. Oral cysticercosis: A rare occurrence. Indian J Dent Res 2009; 20(1): 121-123.

[34] Mittal A, Das D, Murari A, Sharma R. Oral cysticercosis: Report of five cases and review of literature. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2013; 17(1): 72-76.

[35] Bhardwaj S, Rather G. Fine needle aspiration cytology of cysticercosis: A study of 30 cases. J Cytol 2019; 36(1): 18-21.

[36] Reddi SP, Morales MJ, Addante RR. Solitary lesion in the masseter muscle. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2001; 59(1): 71-75.

[37] Bansal N, Mohanty S, Kadanthode M, Kumar P. Review of cysticercosis of maxillofacial region and report of two cases. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2022; 123(6): e760-e769.