Clinical aspects of CNS cysticercosis

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Abstract
Central nervous system cysticercosis caused by infection with larva of the pork tapeworm is common throughout the world. Infection occurs after ingestion of fecal contaminants containing ova of Taenia solium. Clinical manifestations depend on number, age and location of larval cysts disrupting neural tissues. Several disease patterns are apparent: basilar cysticercosis resulting in chronic meningitis or progressive hydrocephalus, parenchymal cysts with focal symptoms; diffuse parenchymal cysts with intracranial hypertension; ventricular localization with episodic acute hydrocephalus and spinal cord cysticercosis mimicking mass lesions. Mixtures of these basic patterns may occur and asymptomatic infections are common. In USA, meningeal cysticercosis is often mistaken for tuberculous or fungal meningitis. A diagnosis of CNS cysticercosis should be considered in any patient with these syndromes who has resided in an area of high prevalence of T. solium.

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