Open AccessThe many facets of disseminated parenchymal brain cysticercosis: A differential diagnosis with important therapeutic implications
Author(s) -
Oscar H. Del Brutto,
Héctor H. Garcı́a
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009883
Subject(s) - neurocysticercosis , taenia solium , cysticercosis , parenchyma , differential diagnosis , pathology , helminthiasis , medicine , biology , parasitic infection , disease , immunology
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the infection of the nervous system by the cystic larvae of Taenia solium , is a highly pleomorphic disease because of differences in the number and anatomical location of lesions, the viability of parasites, and the severity of the host immune response. Most patients with parenchymal brain NCC present with few lesions and a relatively benign clinical course, but massive forms of parenchymal NCC can carry a poor prognosis if not well recognized and inappropriately managed. We present the main presentations of massive parenchymal NCC and their differential characteristics.