Long-term follow-up of the surgical treatment of intracranial coenurosis

Abstract
Intracranial infestation by the coenurus of the tapeworm Taenia mulriceps is a rare occurrence in humans, with about 55 cases having been reported so far. Although most of these cases were observed in African or South American countries, the illness was occasionally found also in sheep-raising areas of Western Europe and the United States. Out of 4 personal cases, who were operated upon over an 18-year-period, 2 were neurologically intact respectively 20 and 3 years following surgical treatment. CT scans confirmed the absence of a progression of the disease. One patient was able to work 6 years after surgery, when he was killed in a road accident. A further, severely impaired patient remained unchanged and died with intercurrent infection 10 years following the operation.