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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Serina Sandhu

Horrifying parasite found living in a woman's brain

The parasite that was found growing in a Texas woman's brain (Youtube)

Doctors removed multiple tapeworm eggs from inside a woman's brain after she complained of suffering from severe headaches for nine months.

The sacs of larvae from eight tapeworm eggs inside Yadira Rostro’s head had been growing when doctors found them.

Ms Rostro, 31, from Garland in Texas, told ABC’s News8: “Sometimes my sight was impaired… I could not see properly.”

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It is thought that Ms Rostro picked up the parasite from contaminated food while on holiday in Mexico two years ago.

But rather than passing through her system, the parasite reached her brain through her bloodstream. It resulted in a collection of fluid which caused the headaches.

The parasite was removed during surgery at the Methodist Dallas Medical Center earlier this month. Neurosurgeon Dr Richard Meyrat said: “They looked a little bit like eggs, and they had a clear sac. And inside it, a small tapeworm.”

Dr Meyrat added his patient, who will make a full recovery, was “happy to be alive”. 

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