Neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is endemic in large parts of Central and South America, East and South Asia. The disease burden in developing countries is considerable. Its clinical presentation is varied and depends on the location, site and number of cysts. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis by any single parameter remains difficult. Serological tests like enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot and ELISA may be falsely positive due to cross reactivity with other tapeworms, echinococcal and filarial infections. Visualization of scolex by neuroimaging is diagnostic, but if it is not seen, other laboratory / clinical evidence is needed. The treatment of neurocysticercosis remains controversial. Reports of favourable response to treatment with cysticidal drugs are by no means definitive. A number of studies done could not establish clearly any advantage of cysticidal drugs over placebo and most of them concluded that natural course of the disease is not influenced by treatment.