Seizure disorder mimicking an acute confusional state as clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis: neuroimaging, EEG findings and clinical correlations.
Epilepsy is the main clinical manifestation of neurocysticercosis (NC). We studied an adult subject who presented a seizure disorder mimicking an acute confusional state as clinical expression of NC. Diagnosis was made with neuroimaging and western blot determination of specific antibodies on serum. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging displayed multiple calcifications and a few transitional cysts in the cerebral parenchyma. Electroencephalography showed a pattern of periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) which could be related topographically to a cystic lesion located in the left parietal lobe. In our view there was a clear pathogenic correlation between the seizure disorder and the parasitic cyst located in the left parietal lobe. Neither antiepileptic drugs nor steroids were prescribed. Follow-up to one year ruled out other clinical manifestations of the disease. This case is an example of acute symptomatic seizure related to a transitional cystic lesion of NC.
Puzzanghera
R
R
Division of Neurology, S. Francesco Hospital, Nuoro, Italy.
Ferrigno
P
P
Ferrai
M R
MR
Murgia
S B
SB
D000208:Acute Disease; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*