title: Pediatric neurocysticercosis: three cases presented in the Netherlands with divergent clinical presentations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurocysticercosis is a helminthic disease that affects the central nervous system by the larvae of the Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm. Because of the growing number of immigrants from endemic areas, its incidence is increasing in Western Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe three children, aged between 2 and 13 years, two of whom have a definite and one a probable diagnosis of neurocysticercosis based on the "Del Brutto criteria." They presented with different symptoms and signs: symptomatic epilepsy, asymmetric cerebral palsy, and headache. Serological evaluation was negative in two of the three cases. All cases showed comparable abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain: solitary or multiple, cystic lesions, with surrounding edema. In one of them, the "scolex" (part of the larvae) could be visualized. One case was treated with albendazole, the other two cases did not receive medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A prompt diagnosis of neurocysticercosis by recognition of its typical brain lesions is important to prevent unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatment.
authors: Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Laura A
authors: LA
authors: van de Pol
authors: Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: T E M
authors: TE
authors: van Doeveren
authors: Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: van der Kuip
authors: Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: N I
authors: NI
authors: Wolf
authors: Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Vermeulen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis*