CNS cysticercosis
J. S. Grisolia and W. C. Wiederholt
Worldwide, cysticercosis is the most common CNS parasite. Because of
immigration from endemic areas, cysticercosis has become more common in the
United States. Seventeen cases have been seen at the University of
California Medical Center, San Diego (La Jolla) over the last ten years.
Eight patients had intracranial hypertension; three, seizures; three,
intracranial hypertension; and seizures; two, strokes; and one, retinal
involvement. Diagnosis was by surgical biopsy in five cases and by clinical
setting plus positive serologic findings in 12. Twelve patients underwent
surgical procedures during their illness, one patient died, and five
improved with steroid therapy. Clinical, serologic, and pathologic criteria
permit definitive diagnosis. Therapy is currently directed toward
complications of the primary infection, which usually is inactive at the
time of presentation.
