Cerebral cysticercosis

Abstract

Twenty cases of cysticerosis involving the central nervous system were seen during a 6-year period. Twelve patients presented with symptom and signs of raised intracranial pressure, 6 with seizures and 1 each with subacute meningitis and psychosis. The diagnosis of cerebral cysticercosis was established by brain biopsy in 8 patients, at autopsy in 3, and by biopsy of a subcutaneous nodule in 7. It was presumed on the basis of typical intracranial calcification in 1 case and soft tissue calcification in another. The protean clinical manifestations of this condition and the diagnostic difficulties it raises are discussed.