VietNamNet Bridge – Doctors at the Children's Hospital 1 in HCM City recently removed pig tapeworms from the brain of a 16-year-old boy from the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.

Dr. Dao Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Children's Hospital 1, said the patient was hospitalized about three months ago, in a state of severe headache and congenital immunodeficiency (weighing 20 kg, 1.2 m high, the same size as a 5-6 year old boy).

Performing an MRI scan, doctors diagnosed a brain tumor. However, after careful diagnosis, doctors detected a bun of pig tapeworms 5cm in diameter, with fluid inside. The bun contained larvae, weakening the boy.

Dr. Hieu said the boy was very weak for a surgery. After almost three months of treatment at the hospital, the boy’s condition met certain standards for an operation.

The surgery took place on March 24 by doctors of the Children’s Hospital 1 and the People's Hospital 115. After five hours, doctors took out the pork tapeworms from the patient's brain.

Dr. Hieu said this was a rare case in the world. "Through this case, we would like to give a warning about food safety and hygiene. People should eat boiled water and cooked food, and use the foods of clear origin to avoid parasites that can enter the body," he said.

A week after the surgery, the boy could sit and the incision was dry. Doctors said the patient must be monitored and have appropriate treatment after surgery.

Linh Nhat