title: [Neurocysticercosis diagnosis and management in Peru].
abstract: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system and is caused by larvae of the tapeworm Taenia solium. NCC is endemic in almost all developing countries. It presents as intraparenchymal forms associated with seizures or as extraparenchymal forms associated with intracranial hypertension. The clinical and epidemiological suspicion are important but the diagnosis is made primarily by images and confirmed by serology. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging tests are used. Immunodiagnosis by Western Blot, which is currently perform in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas in serum and cerebrospinal fluid serves as confirmatory test. Treatment involves symptomatic measures (control of seizures or intracranial hypertension) and anticysticercal medications (albendazole and praziquantel). Anticysticercal treatment should be used under hospital conditions because of secondary effects.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Enfermedades Transmisibles, Departamento de Neuropediatria y Enfermedades Transmisibles, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Ministerio de Salud, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.forename: Isidro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alvarado
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Porras
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Román A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cjuno
authors.forename: Hector H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: S Manuel
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*