title: Imaging of neurocysticercosis.
abstract: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an infection of the central nervous system by the Taenia solium larvae, and is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions. The natural history of parenchymal NCC lesions can be divided into 4 stages with unique imaging and clinical features. Evaluation of cysticerci is challenging on conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography, and is significantly improved with MR cysternography techniques. Differentiation of NCC lesions from metastatic disease and pyogenic abscesses can be improved with advanced MR imaging including (1)H nuclear MR spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging, and MR perfusion imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. alerner5@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shiroishi
authors.forename: Chi-Shing
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Zee
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Go
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D011379:Prognosis; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000254:growth & development; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed