Neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is infection of the brain, spinal cord, or surrounding tissues by larval Taenia solium tapeworms. Its symptoms and treatment depend on where the larvae lodge and whether they are viable, degenerating, or calcified.

Taenia solium: Taenia solium is a tapeworm whose adult form lives in the human intestine and whose larval form can infect tissues. Its larvae cause neurocysticercosis, while intestinal tapeworms shed the eggs that sustain transmission.
Magnetic resonance imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of internal structures. It can reveal ventricular, subarachnoid, and parenchymal cysts that may be difficult to characterize otherwise.
Parenchymal neurocysticercosis: Parenchymal neurocysticercosis is infection by Taenia solium larvae within the brain tissue itself. It is a common form and often presents with seizures as cysts degenerate or calcify.
Taenia solium life cycle: The Taenia solium life cycle alternates between adult intestinal tapeworms in humans and larval cysts in intermediate hosts. Humans develop neurocysticercosis by ingesting eggs, not by eating pork containing cysts.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by an enduring tendency to have unprovoked seizures. Neurocysticercosis is a major preventable cause of acquired epilepsy in many endemic regions.
Cysticercosis: Cysticercosis is infection of human tissues by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Neurocysticercosis is the form in which cysticerci involve the central nervous system.
Computed tomography: Computed tomography uses X-rays and computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the body. It is especially useful for identifying calcified brain lesions associated with neurocysticercosis.
Intraventricular neurocysticercosis: Intraventricular neurocysticercosis is larval infection within the brain’s fluid-filled ventricular system. Cysts can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid flow and cause acute or chronic hydrocephalus.
Pork tapeworm: Pork tapeworm is the common name for Taenia solium, a parasite transmitted through human and pig hosts. The name can mislead: undercooked pork causes intestinal taeniasis, whereas swallowed eggs cause cysticercosis.
Seizure: A seizure is a transient episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter movement, sensation, awareness, or behavior. A seizure may be the first sign of brain cysts or inflammation.

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