Pediatric Neurocysticercosis

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminth infection of nervous system in humans caused by the encysted larvae of Taenia solium. It is a major cause of epilepsy in tropical areas and the most common cause of focal-onset seizures in North Indian children. Children with neurocysticercosis have pleomorphic manifestations depending on the location, number and viability of the cysts and host response. In endemic areas, neurocysticercosis should be clinically suspected in any child with recent-onset seizures, headache or focal motor deficits where there is no other suggestion of an underlying neurological disorder. Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is essentially based on neuroimaging; visualization of a scolex is diagnostic. Management includes use of cysticidal drugs usually albendazole, which seems to be effective for lesion resolution and seizure remission, use of steroids and anti-epileptic drugs. Single lesions portend good prognosis with resolution of lesions in >60% of the cases within 6 mo and good seizure control. Prognosis is guarded in cysticercus encephalitis, racemose and extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis.

Seizure Semiology, Location of Lesion on Neuroimaging, and Interictal Electroencephalographic (EEG) Abnormalities in Children With Single-Lesion Neurocysticercosis—Is There a Correlation?

“…The clinical features in neurocysticercosis depend on the number, stage, and location of lesions. 26,27 Focal motor seizures are the most common manifestation of single-lesion neurocysticercosis in children, as seen in the current and previous studies in the literature. 28,29 Auras and focal ictal symptoms observed in our study are consistent with localized involvement of the cerebral cortex in neurocysticercosis.…”

Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between 7 Days and 28 Days Albendazole Monotherapy in the Treatment of Single-Lesion Neurocysticercosis in Children

“…Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a significant cause of epilepsy in the tropics and the most common cause of focal seizures in North Indian children. 1,2 It is an acquired infection of the human nervous system caused by the larval stage of tapeworm Taenia solium. The condition is endemic in developing countries such as Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa.…”

“…4 Among children hospitalized with focal seizures in India, NCC accounts for half of the case burden. 1 Albendazole was introduced in 1987 as a cysticidal drug. 5 It has been shown to reduce the number of parenchymal lesions and the risk of seizure recurrence in the medium term (6-18 months) in children with NCC.…”

Cortical Blindness due to neurocysticercosis in an adolescent patient

“…Two to three months after infestation, the ingested eggs can be found in organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and abdominal cavity, but rarely in the spinal cord. Since the neurological symptoms of neurocysticercosis (NCC) are nonspeci c, it is di cult to diagnose the disease based on clinical ndings alone [2].…”