Title
Brain calcification because of neurocysticercosis: a vast field to be explored
Date Issued
01 October 2020
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Endemic regions include Latin American countries, sub-Saharan Africa, and large regions of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and is a global health problem. Seizures are the most common manifestation and approximately 30% of adult-onset seizures in endemic regions are attributable to NCC. Calcifications because of neurocysticercosis is the most common finding on imaging in endemic regions and are important seizure foci contributing to the burden of epilepsy. RECENT FINDINGS: After treatment with antiparasitics for multiple viable parenchymal disease, approximately 38% of cysts that resolved after 6 months of therapy will result in residual calcifications, which represents a significant burden of residual disease. Calcified disease has been referred to as 'inactive disease', but there is accumulating evidence to suggest that calcified granulomas are actually dynamic and substantially contribute to the development and maintenance of seizures. SUMMARY: Calcified parenchymal neurocysticercosis contributes significantly to the development and maintenance of seizures in endemic regions. Understanding the pathogenesis of the role of calcified NCC in seizure development and risk factors for development of calcifications after treatment is critical to decreasing the burden of symptomatic disease in endemic regions.
Start page
334
End page
338
Volume
33
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Neurociencias Parasitología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85090869425
PubMed ID
Source
Current opinion in infectious diseases
ISSN of the container
09517375
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus