Diffuse Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease of the central nervous system and the leading cause of seizure in the developing world. Human cysticercosis is caused by the dissemination of the embryo of Taenia solium in the intestine via the hepatoportal system to the tissues and organs of the body. The organs most commonly affected are the subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles, lung, brain, eye, liver, and occasionally the heart, thyroid, and pancreas. Widespread dissemination of the cysticerci can result in the involvement of almost any organ in the body. We report a case of 60 years old male presented with head injury due to fall, which was diagnosed as diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis on computed tomography scan of brain. We discuss the radiological feature, diagnostic criteria, management plan, and literature review of such reported cases.

Keywords

neurocysticercosis - diffuse - radiology - diagnostic criteria - management

Publication History

Article published online:
02 September 2020

• References

• 1 Singh G, Burneo JG, Sander JW. From seizures to epilepsy and its substrates: neurocysticercosis. Epilepsia 2013; 54 (05) 783-792
• 2 Del Brutto OH, Garcia HH. Neurocysticercosis. Handb Clin Neurol 2013; 114: 313-325
• 3 Takayanagui OM, Odashima NS. Clinical aspects of neurocysticercosis. Parasitol Int 2006; 55 (Suppl) S111-S115
• 4 Fleury A, Carrillo-Mezo R, Flisser A, Sciutto E, Corona T. Subarachnoid basal neurocysticercosis: a focus on the most severe form of the disease. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2011; 9 (01) 123-133
• 5 Singhi P. Neurocysticercosis. Ther Adv Neurol Disorder 2011; 4 (02) 67-81
• 6 Bhalla A, Sood A, Sachdev A, Varma V. Disseminated cysticercosis: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Reports 2008; 2: 137
• 7 Escobar A. The pathology of neurocysticercosis of the central nervous system. In: Palacios E, Rodriguez-Carbajal J, Taveras JM. eds. Cysticercosis of the Central Nervous System. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas; 1983: 27-54
• 8 Garcia HH, Nash TE, Del Brutto OH. Clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of neurocysticercosis. Lancet Neurol 2014; 13 (12) 1202-1215
• 9 Pal DK, Carpio A, Sander JW. Neurocysticercosis and epilepsy in developing countries. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2000; 68 (02) 137-143
• 10 Nash TE, Singh G, White AC. et al. Treatment of neurocysticercosis: current status and future research needs. Neurology 2006; 67 (07) 1120-1127
• 11 Sardana V, Ojha P, Sharma D, Sharma SK, Saxena S, Rai NN. Disseminated cysticercosis. Neurol India 2016; 64 (05) 1058-1060
• 12 Bustos JA, Garcia HH, Dorregaray R. et al. Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru. Detection of muscle calcifications by thigh CT scan in neurocysticercosis patients. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2005; 99 (10) 775-779
• 13 Garg RK. Drug treatment of neurocysticercosis. Natl Med J India 1997; 10 (04) 173-177
• 14 Muthukumar N. Commentary: neurocysticercosis: evolution of our understanding. Neurol India 2017; 65 (04) 885-887
• 15 Garg RK. Diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis: some modifications are needed for Indian patients. Neurol India 2004; 52 (02) 171-177