‘Insane’ X-ray leaves doctor horrified

An “insane” X-ray has revealed a man infested with hundreds of tapeworm eggs after making a huge error in the kitchen.

An “insane” X-ray has revealed a man infested with hundreds of tapeworm eggs after making a huge error in the kitchen.

The man only discovered he had the eggs after falling and experiencing hip pain.

US doctor Sam Ghali shared the image of the unnamed man to X saying it was “one of the most insane X-rays I’ve ever seen”, The Sun reported.

He explained: “This is a condition known as cysticercosis. Essentially these are larval cysts of taenia solium – also known as the pork tapeworm.”

According to Ghali, this occurs from a human consuming raw or uncooked pig, and then the person becoming infected with the worms in their GI tract.

He continued: “These cysts can travel anywhere throughout the human body.

The X-ray revealed the man had hundreds of tapeworm eggs inside him. Picture: X

“In this patient they’ve travelled heavily to the muscular and the soft tissues of the hips and legs.”

In this instance, the cysts didn’t pose a life-threatening problem.

But luckily it was found while the patient’s hip fracture was discovered on the X-ray.

But in some instances, the cysts can become a problem and can even result in death.

Ghali warned: “The problem is when these travel to the brain and lodge there, that can cause very serious issues. “

This is a condition known as neurocysticercosis that can lead to neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, seizures and even death.

The moral of the story?

Always do your best to keep clean and wash your hands, said Ghali.

He added: “And never, ever under any circumstances eat raw or undercooked pork.”

Last year, a case was shared of a man who went to hospital in Florida after experiencing headaches that got worse over four months.

The anonymous 52-year-old, had enjoyed scoffing “soft bacon” for most of his life.

Scans revealed fluid-filled sacs on his brain and doctors diagnosed him with neurocysticercosis.

Image of a tapeworm. Picture: iStock

They were left puzzled when he told them he had not travelled to any high risk areas and lived in a modern, clean home with his wife and cat.

The medics suggested the “very rare” case should serve as a warning for people to make sure they cook their breakfasts properly.

Dr Eamonn Byrnes, of Orlando Regional Medical Centre, said at the time: “It is very rare for patients to contract neurocysticercosis outside of classic exposures or travel.

“Such cases in the United States were thought to be non-existent.

“Undercooked pork consumption is a theoretical risk factor for neurocysticercosis via auto-inoculation, as we suspected in this case.

“It is historically very unusual to encounter infected pork in the United States, and our case may have public health implications,” the doctor said.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Insane’ X-ray leaves doctor horrified