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U.S. doctors were met with an unexpected diagnosis when a 52-year-old man, initially seeking treatment for severe migraines, was found to have parasitic tapeworms infesting his brain.

The shocking discovery, detailed in a case report published in the American Journal of Case Reports, shed light on the rare but serious condition known as neurocysticercosis.

The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, had a history of migraines but sought medical attention as the intensity and frequency of his headaches escalated beyond his usual experience and did not respond to conventional treatments.

Upon conducting a computed tomography (CT) scan, physicians identified multiple cysts within the white matter of the man's brain, particularly concentrated in the lower right region, and this prompted urgent hospitalization.

Further examination through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the presence of additional cysts in various parts of the brain, accompanied by swelling, consistent with a diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

Despite residing in a modern home and lacking recent travel history or farm exposure, the patient confessed to a lifelong habit of consuming undercooked bacon, raising suspicions of ingesting Taenia solium eggs leading to the parasitic infection.

Fortunately, prompt intervention with anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory medications proved successful in reducing the size of the lesions and alleviating the patient's migraines.

The case put the spotlight on the rarity of such occurrences outside of classic exposure scenarios or travel, reassuring the public that the risk of contracting neurocysticercosis remains extremely low for the average American.

"It is very rare for patients to contract neurocysticercosis outside of classic exposures or travel, and such cases in the United States were thought to be nonexistent," the authors wrote, according to Live Science.

Neurocysticercosis, though more prevalent in developing countries where pigs serve as a primary food source and sanitation may be inadequate, has seen an increase in reported cases in developed nations due to factors such as international travel and immigration.

The man's case reportedly serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough cooking practices and hand hygiene to mitigate the risk of parasitic infections.