Neurocysticercosis in children

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common cause of seizures and neurologic disease. Although there may be variable presentations depending on the stage and location of cysts in the nervous system, most children (> 80%) present with seizures particularly partial seizures. About a third of cases have headache and vomiting. Diagnosis is made by either CT or MRI. Single enhancing lesions are the commonest visualization of a scolex confirms the diagnosis. Some cases have multiple cysts with a characteristic starry-sky appearance. Management involves use of anticonvulsants for seizures and steroids for cerebral edema. The use of cysticidal therapy continues to be debated. Controlled studies have shown that cysticidal therapy helps in increased and faster resolution of CT lesions. Improvement in long-term seizure control has not yet been proven. Children with single lesions have a good outcome and seizure recurrence rate is low. Children with multiple lesions have recurrent seizures. Extraparenchymal NCC has a guarded prognosis but it is rare in children. In endemic areas NCC must be considered in the differential diagnosis of seizures and various other neurological disorders.

Epilepsy and Neurocysticercosis in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…This may be explained by a different immunoresponse to the infection with age. The age of first manifestation of NCC seems however difficult to obtain, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, as children are often excluded from neuroimaging studies for obvious ethical reasons, although several reports have demonstrated the presence of NCC among children [79][80][81][82][83].…”

Variability of Presentations and CT-Scan Findings in Children with Neurocysticercosis

“…[7][8][9][12][13] Epilepsy cases are rising in Nepal and studies show that nearly 7.3 per 1000 cases suffer from epilepsy with around 50 % being due to neurocysticercosis. 4 Partial seizures are more commonly described in the Indian sub-continent although it can also be generalised type.…”

“…8,10 11-14 Other manifestations are headache, behavioural changes, loss of consciousness, cranial nerve palsy, etc. [12][13] Diagnosis can be made on the basis of CT scan or MRI scan of brain. The CT scan features ring-enhancing lesions with or without scolex which might be single mostly and sometimes multiple.…”

Neurocysticercosis: clinical presentations, serology and radiological findings: experience in a teaching institution

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14] In the present critically analysed, study, generalised seizures were the predominant type (47%). A similar study at another institution in the capital region of Delhi has revealed complex partial seizures as the most frequent type (55.55%).…”