Hasan Md Shariful, Basri Hamidon Bin, Hin Lim Poh, Stanslas Johnson
Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra, Malaysia.
Surg Neurol Int. 2011;2:177. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.90698. Epub 2011 Dec 13.
Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system and an important cause of acquired epilepsy. Although endemic in developing countries, with an increased immigration from the endemic regions, it is also seen progressively in other parts of the world. Hence, there is an increased need for awareness of neurocysticercosis in the non-endemic areas.
The case described here is of a 13-year-old girl who presented with refractory seizures. She had been on antiepileptic medication and had also received anti-parasitic treatment for neurocysticercosis. Surgical intervention was recommended because the seizures were resistant to treatment and also because the diagnosis could not be clearly established. Following surgery, the seizures have been under control and the patient has been doing well.
Neurocysticercosis can be a potential cause of refractory seizure even in non-endemic countries. Some cases may be difficult to diagnose. Clinical presentation of seizure and brain imaging should be given priority over blood investigations for diagnosing neurocysticercosis and advanced neurosurgical intervention can be considered in suitable cases for better outcome.
神经囊尾蚴病是中枢神经系统最常见的寄生虫感染，也是后天性癫痫的重要病因。尽管在发展中国家为地方性疾病，但随着来自流行地区移民的增加，在世界其他地区也逐渐可见。因此，非流行地区对神经囊尾蚴病的认识需求日益增加。
此处描述的病例为一名13岁女孩，表现为难治性癫痫发作。她一直在服用抗癫痫药物，也接受了针对神经囊尾蚴病的抗寄生虫治疗。由于癫痫发作对治疗耐药且无法明确诊断，故建议进行手术干预。手术后，癫痫发作得到控制，患者情况良好。
即使在非流行国家，神经囊尾蚴病也可能是难治性癫痫发作的潜在病因。有些病例可能难以诊断。在诊断神经囊尾蚴病时，癫痫发作的临床表现和脑部影像学检查应优先于血液检查，对于合适的病例可考虑进行先进的神经外科干预以获得更好的结果。
