Cerebral myiasis is a rare condition caused by a parasitic infestation of fly larvae
feeding on the host's necrotic or living tissue. Only 16 cases of cerebral myiasis
have been published. We presented the case of a 72-year-old man with a neglected infestation
of an extensive ulcerative cancer of the scalp. A large cranial lesion, with exposed
brain and dura mater and severe Sarcophaga carnaria maggot infestation, was evident.
We gently removed the maggots and covered the defect with thick gauze and sodium hypochlorite
solution dressing. We additionally present a review of the literature to highlight
shared features and suggestions for care management. In all cases, there was an absence
of fatal meningitis and encephalitis, which is surprising given the open skull erosion
with prolonged cortical exposure and points to the protective effects of larvae wound
infestation.
Key-words:
Brain - cerebral infestation - larvae - myiasis - neglected
