Cysticercosis cerebri. Review of 127 cases

Abstract

We reviewed the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment in 127 cases of cysticercosis cerebri. The chief syndromes were seizures (55.1%), hydrocephalus (37.8%), and stroke (11.8%). Serum or CSF indirect hemagglutination titers, determined in 101 patients, were positive in 84.1% of those with CSF pleocytosis but in only 42.1% of those without. Computed tomography (CT), employed in 85 patients, showed typical multiple calcifications in 64.7%. The CT scans were most useful in the surgical treatment of ventriculomeningeal infestation. Ventricular shunt implantation was performed in 40 patients with hydrocephalus and produced marked improvement in 32. Cyst resection was necessary only for patients with rapidly enlarging fourth ventricle cysts.