Neurocysticercosis: Report of fifteen cases.
BACKGROUND
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), which is caused by the encysted larvae of the porcine tapeworm Taenia solium, is uncommon in developed countries.


METHODS
Fifteen cases were reviewed retrospectively from the medical records of patients admitted to Queens Hospital Center, a 550-bed acute care municipal hospital in New York City, from 1986 through 1992. All patients were immigrants from Central and South America. Nine were men and six were women; age range was 11-80 years, mean 33.8 years. Thirteen of the 15 patients (86%) were admitted with seizures. One patient had a strokelike syndrome with transient slurred speech and confusion.


RESULTS
Diagnosis was based on clinical findings, CT or MRI studies (100%), and ELISA titers (81%). Cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities were noted in 5 of 7 samples obtained. Twelve adult patients with NCC were treated with praziquantel and steroids, and their courses were uncomplicated, except for one patient who required ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus.


CONCLUSIONS
NCC should be suspected in immigrants from Central and South America who have seizures; it may complicate the differential diagnosis of various central nervous system syndromes. Available therapies entail risks and uncertainties. The ultimate approach is prevention of infestation.
Buitrago
M
M
Department of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 11432, USA.
Edwards
B
B
Rosner
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D002648:Child; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009519:New York City; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents; D011223:Praziquantel