Neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis
Infection of the brain by the larval form of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. Neurocysticercosis is a form of cysticercosis and is the most common worm infection of the central nervous system. The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, in which it can be a serious public health problem. The symptoms depend upon where and how many cysticerci are found in the brain. Seizures, and headaches are the most common symptoms. Confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, difficulty with balance, and swelling (edema) of the brain (hydrocephalus) may occur, together with increased pressure on the brain. Neurocysticercosis can form giant cysts in the brain. Medical treatment with corticosteroids and the cesticidal drugs albendazole and praziquantel can be very helpful. Some patients also may need a shunt to relieve the pressure on the brain.

* * *

neu·ro·cys·ti·cer·co·sis -.sis-tə-(.)sər-'kō-səs n, pl -co·ses -.sēz infection of the central nervous system with cysticerci of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)

* * *

neu·ro·cys·ti·cer·co·sis (noor″o-sis″tĭ-sər-koґsis) [neuro- + cysticercosis] infection of the central nervous system with the larval forms (cysticerci) of Taenia solium; manifestations are highly variable, depending on the location and number of cysts, and may include seizures, hydrocephalus, and other neurologic dysfunctions, often with distinctive lesions visible by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cysticercosis — Classification and external resources Magnetic resonance image of a patient with neurocysticercosis demonstrating multiple cysticerci within the brain. ICD 10 B69 …   Wikipedia

  • Cysticercosis — An infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (SIS tuh sir KEY) (cysts). When cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis… …   Medical dictionary

  • Infection, pork tapeworm — Known medically as cysticercosis, an infection caused by Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm). Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (SIS tuh sir KEY) (cysts). When cysticerci are found in the brain, the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Pork tapeworm infection — Known medically as cysticercosis, an infection caused by Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm). Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (SIS tuh sir KEY) (cysts). When cysticerci are found in the brain, the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Tapeworm infection, pork — Known medically as cysticercosis, an infection caused by Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm). Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (SIS tuh sir KEY) (cysts). When cysticerci are found in the brain, the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Depression (differential diagnoses) — Neuroimaging can be a valuable tool in the diagnostic work up of various psychiatric disorders including depression.[1] Depression, one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders,[2][ …   Wikipedia

  • Pork tapeworm — Taxobox name = Taenia solium image width = 200px image caption = Scolex of Taenia solium regnum = Animalia phylum = Platyhelminthes classis = Cestoda ordo = Cyclophyllidea familia = Taeniidae genus = Taenia species = T. solium binomial = Taenia… …   Wikipedia

  • Praziquantel — Systematic (IUPAC) name (RS) 2 (Cyclohexanecarbonyl) 2,3,6,7 tetr …   Wikipedia

  • Neurosurgery — Occupation Activity sectors Surgery Description Education required Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Med …   Wikipedia

  • Sarah Lane — This article is about the television personality. For the American Ballet Theatre soloist, see Sarah Lane (dancer). Sarah Lane Born October 12, 1976 (1976 10 12) …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”