Neurocysticercosis Presenting with Epilepsia Partialis Continua: A Clinicopathologic Report and Literature Review

Neurocysticercosis, a disease caused by a tapeworm larva in the central nervous system, is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy in undeveloped regions of the world. In Taiwan, after improvements in sanitation, tapeworm infection became very rare except in mountain areas inhibited by aborigines. However, in recent years, immigration from other Asian countries has increased rapidly, and parasite infection of the central nervous system may again become an important cause of adult-onset epilepsy in clinical practice. Here, we describe a 27-year-old female Thai immigrant who presented with adult-onset epilepsia partialis continua of the right upper extremity. Electroencephalography showed epileptiform discharge in the left central region, while brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a small enhanced lesion in the left premotor cortex. She underwent operation and pathology of the mass revealed a degenerated cysticercus. In this article, we provide detailed neuroimaging findings, pathologic report, and literature review of this parasitic infection of the central nervous system. This case calls for physicians to be aware of cysticercosis as an etiology of adult-onset epilepsy in immigrants from endemic countries.