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Indian Journal of Trauma and Emergency Pediatrics

Volume  13, Issue 1, JAN-MARCH 2021, Pages 21-28
 

Review Article

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) in Children: A Review

Chhaya Akshay Divecha1, Milind S. Tullu2

1Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology (formerly Oman Medical College), Sultanate of Oman. And ExAssistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India., 2Additional Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijtep.2348.9987.13121.3

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the commonest parasitic infestation of the brain caused by Taenia solium larvae and a preventable cause of epilepsy worldwide. NCC may be parenchymal or extraparenchymal, and its clinical presentation may vary based on the location, number, and host immuneresponse to the cysts. Seizures are more frequently seen in children, and single colloidal parenchymal cyst is the common radiologic finding in pediatric NCC. The diagnosis is generally by neuroimaging, a scolex within the cyst being pathognomic; however, serology may help when the neuroimaging is inconclusive. Initial treatment generally focuses on symptomatic management by antiepileptics and corticosteroids. Albendazole is the cysticidal drug of choice in most cases; praziquental is added for multiple lesions. The outcome depends on the type, location, number of lesions, seizure recurrences and radiologic resolution of the lesions. Single lesions have a better prognosis. In endemic areas, NCC should be a differential in any child presenting with recentonset seizures, headache, vomiting, or focal motor deficits, in the absence of another known neurological condition. Due to the potentially eradicable nature of cysticercosis, preventive measures need to be encouraged.

Key words: Children; Cysticercus; Epilepsy; Neurocysticercosis; Parasitic disease; Ring enhancing lesion; Taenia solium; Tapeworm.


Corresponding Author : Milind S. Tullu