Tapeworm Infests A Man's Brain | Monsters Inside Me

Summary

Luis begins to suffer from severe illness, including vomiting and collapsing, leading his family to rush him to the hospital. Doctors discover he has hydrocephalus, caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. A scan reveals the source of his condition—a tapeworm lodged in his brain. Neurologist Dr. Soren Single performs a delicate surgery to remove the cyst containing the parasite without rupturing it, successfully saving Luis’s life. The family is relieved, and Luis reflects on his close call with death, grateful for his recovery and the support of his loved ones.

Takeaways

• 🚿 Luis wanted to take a hot shower to ease his pain.
• 🤢 On the way to the bathroom, Luis vomited on himself and became increasingly ill.
• 😵 Luis collapsed and was unresponsive, prompting his family to take him to the hospital.
• 🏥 At the hospital, Luis was found to have no drugs in his system, leading to concerns about a neurological condition.
• 🧠 An X-ray revealed extreme pressure in Luis's head, three times more than normal.
• 🌊 The cause was identified as hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebral fluid in the brain.
• 👨‍⚕️ Neurologist Dr. Soren Single suspected an obstruction in the cerebrospinal fluid path.
• 🐛 An MRI scan revealed a cyst in Luis's brain containing a tapeworm, causing the blockage.
• ⚠️ The tapeworm's location in the center of the brain made surgical removal risky and potentially fatal.
• 🔍 It was suggested Luis could have contracted the tapeworm from eating unwashed fruits or salad.

Q & A

What initial symptom led Luis to believe he needed a hot shower?

Luis experienced pain, which he believed a hot shower could help ease.

What happened to Luis on his way to the bathroom that raised concern?

Luis vomited on himself and then became increasingly ill, vomiting multiple times before collapsing and becoming unresponsive.

What was the family's immediate response after Luis collapsed?

Luis' family, specifically his brother Dan and their father, decided to take him to the hospital after he became unresponsive.

What initial suspicion did the emergency room staff have regarding Luis' condition?

The emergency room staff initially suspected that Luis might have overdosed, but a toxicology screen found no drugs in his system.

What condition did the doctors discover Luis had, and what causes it?

Doctors discovered that Luis had hydrocephalus, a condition involving a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. It can be caused by traumatic head injury, infection, or tumors, though the exact source in Luis' case was initially unclear.

What did the MRI reveal about the cause of Luis' hydrocephalus?

The MRI revealed a cyst in Luis' brain, shaped like a snowman, which contained a tapeworm. This cyst was obstructing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing the buildup of pressure in his brain.

How do tapeworms typically infect humans, and how might Luis have contracted it?

Tapeworms usually infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork, but they can also be contracted by ingesting eggs from contaminated food, such as unwashed fruits or vegetables.

What were the risks involved in the surgery to remove the tapeworm?

The main risk was that if the cyst ruptured during surgery, the tapeworm could escape, potentially leading to further complications or even death.

How did Dr. Soren Single successfully remove the cyst without harming Luis?

Dr. Single used a neural endoscope with a camera and small forceps to carefully remove the cyst from Luis' brain without rupturing it.

What was the outcome for Luis after the surgery, and how did his family support him during recovery?

After the surgery, Luis' cranial pressure subsided, and he came out of a coma the next day. His family was present every day during his hospital stay, providing emotional support, and Luis expressed gratitude for their constant presence.