Rodríguez-Sánchez G, Castellanos-Pinedo F, Giménez-Pando J, Adeva-Bartolomé M T, Zancada-Díaz F
Hospital Virgen del Puerto, Plasencia, 10600, España.
Rev Neurol. 2002;34(4):348-51.
Neurocystercicosis (NCC) is a disorder caused by the Taenia solium larva. It is the commonest parasitosis of the CNS. In Spain most patients are from countries where the condition is endemic. However, sporadic cases still occur amongst the non immigrant population of rural regions. We report a new case of NCC from the Valle del Jerte in rural Extremadura.
A 51 year old man presented with intellectual impairment, motor aphasia, apraxia, right hemiparesia and sphincter incontinence for the past six months. On cranial CAT and MR hydorcephalia was seen together with a subarachnoid cyst in the left Sylvan fissure. Serology was positive for cysticercosis in both plasma and CSF. The patient was treated with albendazol after insertion of a ventriculo peritoneal shunt. Three months later there was both clinical and radiological improvement.
NCC is still a condition which must be included in the differential diagnosis of patients in Spain who present with CNS involvement and cystic lesions on neuro imaging investigations, even when they are not from countries where the disease is endemic. Treatment with albendazol and steroids given after insertion of a ventriculo peritoneal shunt was effective in our patient.
