Clinico-Radiological Profile of Neurocysticercosis

Abstract

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease of nervous system. It is caused by the larval stage (cysticerci) of the pork  tapeworm Taenia solium. There are two main forms of neurocysticercosis, parenchymal and                        extraparenchymal. Cyst localization determines the clinical presentation of the patient. Aims: To study the clinical and radiological profile of the patients with                                neurocysticercosis. Methods and Material: It was a prospective observational study, done on patients who attended out patient department or got admitted in the department of neurology, Govt General Hospital, Chennai. A total of 72 patients coming under definitive or probable diagnosis of neurocysticercosis as per the revised diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis were included in this study. Clinical history, physical  examination, and neuroimaging (CT or MRI) studies were done at the beginning. Patients were treated with albendazole, corticosteroids, and antiepileptic drugs. Results: Definitive cases were 54 (75%) and probable cases were 18 (25%). Male: female ratio was 2.6. Most common mean age of presentation is 41. The                  commonest presentation was seizures in 63 (87.5%). 58(80.5%) patients had a single lesion and 14 (19.4%) had multiple lesions in imaging study. Commonest site of lesion was parietal lobe (50%). 67 (93%) patients were free of seizures at the end of three months. Conclusions: Neurocysticercosis usually affects young persons, youngest age of presentation 14 months, being equally common among vegetarians. Most common clinical manifestation is seizures. Single lesion is more common than multiple lesions. Clinical and radiological response to 4-week therapy with albendazole is quite satisfactory. All cases of epilepsy in tropical countries should be investigated for                  neurocysticercosis.