Frequency of suspected cases of neurocysticercosis detected by computed skull tomography in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Due to the lack of studies about neurocysticercosis in the South of Brazil, an investigation was conducted to determine the percentage of suspected cases of neurocysticercosis in computed tomography diagnoses in Santa Maria, RS, from January 1997 to December 1998. Of 6300 computed tomographies (CT) of the skull performed at the private Hospital de Caridade Astrogildo de Azevedo, 80, i.e., 1.27% were suspected of neurocysticercosis. Fifty were women (62.5%) and 30 were men (37.5%). The most frequent radiological manifestation indicating neurocysticercosis was the presence of calcifications (isolated or associated), with a 95% rate (76 cases), while the presence of hypodense lesions reached a 5% rate (4 cases). After routine analysis, each CT was evaluated again and the suspected cases were confirmed. The percentage of suspected cases of neurocysticercosis detected by CT in the present study carried out in Santa Maria was considered low (1.27%). This can be explained by the fact that tomography is not accessible to the economically underprivileged population of Santa Maria. We hope that the present study can alert the population and the professionals to the fact that neurocysticercosis is a more frequent disease than indicated by the few diagnoses made.

Aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos da neurocisticercose no Brasil: análise crítica

“…Os níveis de cloreto estiveram diminuídos em 14% dos pacientes com a forma grave da NCC 1 1 1 1 1 . Tomografia computadorizada (TC) de crânio: os exames por TC revelaram que 79-93% dos pacientes apresentaram a forma inativa e 5-40% a ativa 11,18,24,29 . As calcificações estiveram relacionadas a manifestações clínicas em 13-89% dos casos e, em 3,3%, constituíram achado de exame.…”

“…As calcificações estiveram relacionadas a manifestações clínicas em 13-89% dos casos e, em 3,3%, constituíram achado de exame. As frequências das lesões sugestivas de NCC estão apresentadas na Tabela 3 1,11,12,14,18,24,29,30 .…”

A set of recombinant antigens from Echinococcus granulosus with potential for use in the immunodiagnosis of human cystic hydatid disease

“…EgAFFPf showed a higher specificity in tests with these potentially cross‐reactive sera, but it was associated with a significantly lower sensitivity. Cross‐reaction with T. solium is a major problem in CHD immunodiagnosis [9,37,38] and this disease is also prevalent in E. granulosus endemic areas, such as the Andean region and the South Cone of South America [39–45]. In the same regions, toxocariasis ( Toxocara spp.)…”

Clinical profile and outcome of pediatric neurocysticercosis: A study from Western Nepal

“…The clinical diagnosis is based on a high index of suspicion and supportive radiological and serological data. Both CT and MRI can detect intraparenchymal cysts and surrounding inflammation [5]. CT is more sensitive for identifying nodular calcified stage while the merit of MRI lies in direct identification of the scolex within the cyst and detection of intraventricular and subaracnoid lesions [5].…”