title: Cysticercosis of the central nervous system: how should it be managed?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been long recognized as an important cause of neurological morbidity in most of the world. Unwarranted generalization of diagnostic and treatment recommendations made it difficult to assess individual prognosis and responses for each type of NCC. Understanding of the main clinical presentations (dependent on number, location, size, and stage of parasites, as well as on the immune response of the host) allows a better view of treatment options and expected outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current treatment options are still limited and involve symptomatic agents, antiparasitic agents, or surgery. The importance of adequate symptomatic management, the potential for improved antiparasitic treatment regimes, in particular combination therapy, and the increasingly important role of minimally invasive neurosurgery are also reviewed in this article.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment decisions in NCC should be individualized in relation to the type of NCC. Initial measures should focus on the symptomatic management before considering antiparasitic therapy when appropriate. Appropriate patient categorization, new antiparasitic regimes, and minimally invasive surgery are improving the prognosis of patients with NCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Center for Global Health - Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. hgarcia@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Hector H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Armando E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gilman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013552:Swine; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents