Neurocysticercosis in a patient in Canada (original) (raw)

Neurocysticercosis with symptomatic epilepsy manifestation

Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2021

Aim To present a unique case of a 22-year-old male patient with symptomatic epilepsy manifestation on a background of neurocysticercosis (NCC). Methods An Indian student in Kharkiv, who lived in rural parts in India, presented with sudden episodes of seizure followed by severe headaches. Laboratory analyses and neurological status (MRI) were performed. Results Neurological status of the patient revealed nystagmus and difficulty in performing co-ordination tests. General analysis of blood showed raised eosinophil count to 8%. The MRI showed a few small conglomerating peripherally enhancing thick-walled infective granulomas in left frontal lobe with extensive surrounding oedema in the left fronto-parietal lobe. The patient was treated with albendazol, levipil, methylprednisolone and pantoprazole. Clinical symptoms and subsequent MRI showed improvement. Conclusion Neurocysticercosis is often misdiagnosed in the early stages, which leads to adverse outcomes. Although seizures are the mo...

Unmasking a Hidden Culprit: Neurocysticercosis, an Overlooked Cause of Acquired Epilepsy

Journal of Epilepsy Research, 2024

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common parasitic brain infestation caused by the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs, predominantly in developing countries. In this report, we presented the case of a 44-year-old woman who exhibited stroke symptoms and had a decade-long history of recurrent headaches and epilepsy. At presentation, a non-contrast computed tomography scan of the brain was performed and revealed hypodense oval lesions and calcified cysts in both cerebral hemispheres, strongly indicative of NCC. The patient responded positively to treatment with dexamethasone, albendazole, and carbamazepine. This case study underscores the importance of neuroimaging in investigating patients with neurological conditions like epilepsy, especially in developing countries. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial in preventing and controlling NCC, reducing its impact on public health.

Spectrum of epilepsy in neurocysticercosis: a long-term follow-up of 143 patients

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 2009

To characterize the clinical profile and the prognostic factors of the epilepsy due to parenchymal neurocysticercosis (NCC) 143 patients were analysed. Patients (62 men, 81 women) had a mean age at epilepsy onset of 29 years (range 2-71), mean epilepsy duration of 16 years (range 1-58) and mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Seizures were generalised tonic-clonic (GTC) in 50 patients (35%), simple partial (SP) in 66 (46%) and complex partial (CP) in 27 (19%). Epilepsy began as a single seizure in 73% and as a cluster of seizures or status epilepticus in 27 %. Seizures were controlled in 64% of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that significant prognostic factors associated with seizure control were type of seizures and age at epilepsy onset. Control is more likely in GTC and SP seizures and in patients with a higher age at seizures onset. Our analysis establishes that epilepsy due to NCC is a heterogeneous syndrome concerning age and mode of onset, seizure type, duration of epilepsy and pattern of evolution probably related with different pathogenic mechanisms. Patients and methods In a period of 10 years (1983-1992), 348 patients with NCC were diagnosed at the HGSA by CT scan, the "gold standard test" for the diagnosis of this cerebral infection (2, 11, 12). HGSA is a central hospital, being the neurological reference centre

Neurocysticercosis Presenting With a New-Onset Seizure: A Case Report

Cureus, 2021

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common infection that is found worldwide but is often neglected in the United States (US). This case report aims to illustrate the presentation of the disease, provide information on this globally prevalent pathogen, and shed light on the diagnostic workup and treatment of the infection. We discuss the case of a 31-year-old male patient of Central American origin presenting with a new-onset seizure. He had no significant past medical history and had never experienced similar events before. The diagnosis was made through neuroimaging, serum antibody testing, and biopsy of the brain lesion. This case highlights the importance of performing a good clinical history and a proper diagnostic workup that would help in the prompt recognization and treatment of this common worldwide illness that may not be endemic to the clinician’s geographical area.

Neurocysticercosis : Clinical Feature , Diagnostic and Current therapeutic Strategies

2020

Review Article Background: Neurocycticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system caused by larval forms (cysticercus cellulosae) of cestode tapeworm, taenia solium. It is the most common cause of focal seizure in india and several other endemic countries. Despite Several Immunologic test, neuroimaging remain the main diagnostic test. Seizure is the most common clinical manifestation of neurocysticercosis. There is also controversy regarding management of seizure but there is emerging evidence that albendazole may be beneficial for patient by reducing the no. of seizure. Material and Method: All cases aged more than 12 yrs admitted in dept. of neurology or attending Neurology OPD, JAH and GRMC, Gwalior are the subjects of the study. Conclusion: Focal Seizures are the most common clinical manifestation of neurocycticercosis. Seizures are reported to occur in 70 to 90% of patients with neurocysticercosis. Other symptoms include headache and focal neurolo...

Neurocysticercosis five new things

Neurology: Clinical Practice, 2013

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic brain disease worldwide. Its clinical heterogeneity is related to localization, number and stage of evolution of the parasites, sex, age, and intensity of the host brain inflammatory reaction. In addition to the localization of the parasite, inflammation is the main phenomenon responsible of symptomatology. Acute symptomatic seizures are the most common symptom in patients with parenchymal parasites, but most do not evolve into epilepsy. Neurocysticercosis diagnosis is based mainly on neuroimaging. New imaging techniques have improved detection of the scolex and visualization of cysts in the extraparenchymal spaces. Immunologic testing can be useful, particularly when imaging is equivocal. Based on disappearance of parasites, antihelminthic drugs as currently used are effective in approximately one-third of patients with parenchymal viable cysts.

Epilepsy due to Neurocysticercosis: Analysis of a Hospital Cohort

Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders, 2020

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common helminthic infection of the nervous system that occurs when humans become intermediate hosts in the life cycle of the pig tapeworm (Taenia solium) after ingesting its eggs. The objective of this study was to analyze socio-demographic, clinical and paraclinical features of patients with NCC in Lubumbashi, DRC. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 2 years within the Neuropsychiatric Center of Lubumbashi. Socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features were studied. Results: A total of 18 patients with NCC were listed. Epilepsy was found in 72.2% (13/18) of the cases. The mean age of the patients was 30.2 ± 13.5 years; males accounted for 61.2% of the cases. 84.6% were consumers of pork. Generalized epilepsy was found in 84.6% of the cases and hypereosinophilia in 38% of the cases. On the neuroimaging, the parietal location of lesions represented 92.3%; calcifications were the type of l...

Seizure in people with newly diagnosed active or transitional neurocysticercosis

Seizure-european Journal of Epilepsy, 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe seizure as a presenting symptom in individuals with recently diagnosed neurocysticercosis (NCC). Methods: Using logistic regression, we examined the probability of having seizures as a presenting symptom among those with active or transitional NCC by host age and gender, and by number of cysts, location of the cysts in the brain, and phase of evolution of the encysted parasite. Results: We found that the odds of having seizures as presenting symptom for those in the youngest age group (3-24 years old) were 12.9 times that of the oldest participants (age 55-82 years) (p = 0.006). People with cysts in parenchymal locations had a significantly higher odds of seizures compared to those with all their cysts elsewhere (ventricles or subarachnoid) (OR = 6.2, p = 0.028); and the number of cysts was significantly associated with having seizures (OR = 1.1, p = 0.026). Host gender and cyst phase were not significantly associated with having seizures after adjusting for confounders and covariates. Conclusion: Children, those with cysts in parenchymal locations, and those with a higher number of cysts appear to be more likely to experience seizure when they have NCC cysts in the active or transitional stage.