Neurocysticercosis: an update

Abstract

Cysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease of the central nervous system and is endemic not only in developing countries but in industrialized nations with high rates of immigration from endemic areas. Clinical manifestations of neurocysticercosis are non-specific and depend mainly on the number and the topography of the lesions, the host immune response to the parasite, and the sequelae of previous infections. Diagnosis is difficult on clinical grounds, but integration of data from computed tomography and cerebrospinal fluid analysis permits accurate diagnosis of most cases. Therapy for neurocysticercosis is also varied and must be individualized according to the activity of the disease and location of cysticerci. In this paper, the experience of the authors with neurocysticercosis is summarized and current information on several controversial aspects of this disease is reviewed.