Extraocular muscle cysticercosis usually presents with proptosis and restriction of
eyeball movements. However, it can cause vision loss by compression of the optic nerve
at the optic foramen in infrequent circumstances. We report a rare case with an unusual
manifestation of ptosis, proptosis, lateral rectus palsy, and acute vision loss in
the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of cysticercal cyst. Emergency
optic nerve decompression with cyst excision was done. Treatment of choice for extraocular
muscle cysticercosis presenting with restriction of eyeball movements is mainly medical,
consisting of albendazole and steroids. However, as this lesion rarely causes vision
loss, indications of surgical decompression of optic nerve are not well defined. We
recommend that early surgical management should be done along with medical treatment
in cases of vision loss caused by extraocular muscle cysticercosis.
Key-words:
Extraocular muscle cysticercosis - optic nerve decompression - vision loss
