The clinical spectrum of neurocysticercosis in the Uttaranchal region.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical and radiological spectrum of neurocysticercosis in the Uttaranchal region.


METHODS
A total of 592 patients of neurocysticercosis attending various health camps, medical outdoor and indoor department were studied for their clinical and radiological presentation.


RESULTS
Out of the total 15,000 patients screened, 592 patients (3.94%) were found to be suffering from neurocysticercosis. Majority of them were in the age group of 21-30 years. Most of them presented with generalized seizures (62.5%), others had headache (37.5%), focal seizures (20.8%), localizing neurological signs (16.6%), meningitis (4.1%), and dementia (1.3%). Radiologically, parenchymal lesions were most prevalent (81%). However, interventricular lesions were also not very uncommon (32%). Most of them had single lesions (53.5%), 26.7% had multiple lesions and 0.7% had midline shift. Significantly, large number of patients were vegetarians (39%); only 17.6% were pork eaters while the remaining 82.4% never had pork in their meals.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that such high percentage is at least a rough indicator of high incidence and prevalence of neurocysticercosis in the Uttaranchal region. They had wide range of clinical and radiological presentation. Small number of pork eaters and a significant number of vegetarians suggest other modes of transmission and needs further evaluation.
Varma
A
A
Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehra Dun.
Gaur
K J B S
KJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology