[Neurocysticercosis: its aetiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment].
BACKGROUND
Neurocysticercosis is an important cause of neurological disease in the world. Owing to massive emigration from endemic areas, its frequency has increased in developed countries. The present article reviews some of the specific features of this disease.


METHODS
Cysticercosis occurs when man becomes the intermediary host of Taenia solium. The clinical presentation is pleomorphic and depends on the type, stage, location and number of lesions in the nervous system, as well as the host's response. For a correct diagnostic approach, an adequate interpretation of the clinical manifestations, neuro-imaging and immunodiagnosis conducted in an appropriate epidemiological context is required. The most frequent clinical manifestations are epilepsy, focal deficit, intra-cranial hypertension, and cognitive impairment. Imaging studies show pathognomic signs such as escolex and others that are not specific. The features of this parasitosis may be different in children. Partial crises and single parenchymatous cysts are the most frequent clinical and imaging manifestations of neurocysticercosis in children. Immunobiological tests in blood and cerebrospinal fluid have constraints in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Praziquantel and albendazole are the cyst-killing drugs that have proven to be most effective. Surgery plays an especially important role in hydrocephalus and ventricular cysts. Extra-parenchymatous neurocysticercosis has a poor prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurocysticercosis is a potentially eradicable disease. Health measures and the improvement of health systems can control transmission to man.
Alarcón
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Centro Medico Pasteur, Quito, Ecuador. alyosha@access.net.ec
D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy