Title
Cysticercosis of the central nervous system: How should it be managed?
Date Issued
01 October 2011
Access level
open access
Resource Type
review
Author(s)
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been long recognized as an important cause of neurological morbidity in most of the world. Unwarranted generalization of diagnostic and treatment recommendations made it difficult to assess individual prognosis and responses for each type of NCC. Understanding of the main clinical presentations (dependent on number, location, size, and stage of parasites, as well as on the immune response of the host) allows a better view of treatment options and expected outcomes. Recent Findings: Current treatment options are still limited and involve symptomatic agents, antiparasitic agents, or surgery. The importance of adequate symptomatic management, the potential for improved antiparasitic treatment regimes, in particular combination therapy, and the increasingly important role of minimally invasive neurosurgery are also reviewed in this article. Summary: Treatment decisions in NCC should be individualized in relation to the type of NCC. Initial measures should focus on the symptomatic management before considering antiparasitic therapy when appropriate. Appropriate patient categorization, new antiparasitic regimes, and minimally invasive surgery are improving the prognosis of patients with NCC. © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Start page
423
End page
427
Volume
24
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Parasitología
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-80052481328
PubMed ID
Source
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
ISSN of the container
09517375
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus