Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between neuronal death evaluated by the quantification of Fas apoptotic factor and the different evolutive forms of neurocysticercosis accompanied or not by epileptic seizures. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid samples from 36 patients with a diagnosis of neurocysticercosis divided into the following groups: active cystic form (n=15), 9 patients with and 6 without seizures, and calcified form (=21), 9 with and 12 without seizures. Fourteen patients comprised the control group. Fas protein concentrations were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Only the group of patients with calcified cysts without seizures presented cerebrospinal fluid levels of Fas similar to those of the control group. Higher levels were observed for the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present finding suggests high cerebrospinal fluid levels of soluble Fas protein, except for patients with calcified cysts without seizures. Significant differences were observed for the group with calcified cysts and seizures, suggesting greater neuronal damage in these patients. Replacement of the term inactive cyst with reactive inactive cyst is suggested.

Background : Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. Its main clinical manifestations are epileptic seizures. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between neurotransmitter concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the different evolutive forms of neurocysticercosis with or without seizures. Methods : Neurotransmitter concentrations (Aspartate, Glutamate, GABA, Glutamine, Glycine, Taurine) were determined in CSF samples from 42 patients with neurocysticercosis divided into patients with the active cystic form (n = 24, 12 with and 12 without seizures) and patients with calcified form (n = 18, 12 with and 6 without seizures), and a control group consisting of 59 healthy subjects. Results : Alterations in amino acid concentration were observed in all patients with neurocysticercosis.Conclusion : We conclude that disturbances in amino acid metabolism accompany the presentation of neurocysticercosis. Replacement of the terms inactive cyst by reactive inactive cyst and calcification by reactive calcification is suggested.

Os autores revelam um caso de neurocisticercose em paciente de 40 anos, com queixa de tonturas, vômitos e cefaléia. Foi feita abordagem cirúrgica através de craniotomia temporal esquerda, para acesso ao corno temporal do ventrículo lateral, com retirada de inúmeros cistos. Os aspectos clínicos, radiológicos e na ressonância magnética, bem como os resultados obtidos após o tratamento, são relatados. A revisão da literatura pertinente ao assunto mostrou tratar-se de caso com características incomuns.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. Its main clinical manifestation is seizures. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of NCC in epileptic patients seen in the Emergency Department of the Municipality of Piedade, Sao Paulo.

Os autores relatam um caso de neurocisticercose do 4º ventrículo, em paciente de 26 anos, com queixas de tonturas e vômitos. Foi feita abordagem cirúrgica com uma craniectomia suboccipital e retirada total do cisto. Os aspectos clínicos, radiológicos (tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética), anatomopatológicos e os resultados obtidos são discutidos, especialmente à revisão da literatura, visto tratar-se de caso com características pouco comuns.