Neurocysticercosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis is a neurologic parasitic disease caused by the encysted larva of the tapeworm Taenia solium and is the most important parasitic disease of the human central nervous system. It is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic settings and constitutes a public health challenge for most of the developing world. Nowadays, however, as a result of globalization, neurocysticercosis is being seen more frequently in developed countries as well. Neurocysticercosis is acquired through fecal-oral contamination, and the disease course is complex, with two intermediate hosts (ie, pigs and humans) and a definitive host (humans). Traditionally, it has been classified into active and nonactive forms according to disease location. Radiologists must be aware of its imaging appearance, which is quite variable, as is the differential diagnosis. Imaging findings depend on several factors, including the stage of the life cycle of T solium at presentation; the number and location (ie, subarachnoid, cisternal, or intraventricular) of parasites; and associated complications such as vascular involvement (ie, arteritis with or without infarction), inflammatory response (ie, edema, gliosis, or arachnoiditis), and, in ventricular forms, degree of obstruction. Thus, the diagnostic approach, management, and prognosis for neurocysticercosis differ widely depending on the type of infection.

Recurrencia/persistencia de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical posterior a cono LEEP en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas

“…Todos los pacientes fueron estudiados con algún método de diagnóstico por imágenes (TAC o RM), que por sí solos permiten hacer el diagnóstico en muchos de los casos (7,15) . En algunos de ellos se requirió también la prueba de Western Blot (la cual es confirmatoria) o las tres pruebas juntas, posiblemente debido a una duda diagnóstica por otro proceso que curse con hallazgos radiográficos y clínicos similares, como por ejemplo la hidatidosis cerebral (aunque rara), alguna neoplasia cerebral, accidente cerebro vascular (ACV), absceso cerebral, etc.…”

“…El estadio del parásito hallado con más frecuencia al momento de la atención fue el calcificado, lo cual concuerda con lo referido en la bibliografía, que menciona que la forma calcificada puede encontrarse hasta en 10 a 20% de la población en zonas endémicas (15) . Se encontró diferencia estadística entre la condición del paciente al momento de la atención en el hospital (nuevo o control) y los estadios del parásito, estando la mayoría de pacientes nuevos en los estadios vesicular, coloidal y nodular al momento de la atención en el hospital.…”

The Association Between Neurocysticercosis and Hippocampal Atrophy is Related to Age

“…Lesions of interest included parenchymal brain calcifications as well as other intracranial lesions suggestive of NCC. 13 Rounded and homogeneous nonphysiological supratentorial calcifications, measuring < 1 cm in diameter, not associated with other neuroimaging findings suggestive of alternative etiologies, and not explained by any other causes, were considered to be of cysticercotic origin.…”

Comparação entre diferentes sequências de ressonância magnética na detecção de calcificações em pacientes portadores de neurocisticercose

“…O cisto móvel pode promover hidrocefalia por obstrução mecânica. Em casos de obstrução aguda, pode levar à morte 86,93 .…”

“…Eventualmente, quando o cisto intraventricular começa a degenerar, pode promover inflamação do epêndima e plexo coroide, levando a ependimite e obstrução crônica do LCR 57,93 .…”