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Variability of presentations and CT-scan findings in children with neurocysticercosis
1Department of Pediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. eva_gauchan@yahoo.com
Insights
Neurocysticercosis is a common cause of seizures in children in Western Nepal, often presenting between ages 6-15. Early screening for this preventable zoonotic disease is crucial for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Neurocysticercosis is a significant cause of neurological illness in pediatric populations.
- It represents a common neurological morbidity in childhood, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most frequent clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis in children.
- To identify the typical age of onset, common brain lesion sites, and prevalent ethnic groups and regions affected in Western Nepal.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted.
- Data were collected from pediatric admissions at Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, between June 2004 and June 2009.
Main Results:
- Out of 678 seizure admissions, 109 (16%) were diagnosed with neurocysticercosis.
- The most common age group was 6-15 years, with seizures being the primary presentation (77.9%).
- Parietal lobe lesions were most frequent (59.6%), and 67.8% of patients improved with no recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Neurocysticercosis is a preventable zoonotic disease causing substantial childhood morbidity in areas with poor sanitation.
- Pediatric patients presenting with an initial afebrile seizure, after ruling out other causes, should be evaluated for neurocysticercosis.
Background:
Neurocysticercosis is one of the common neurological morbidities in childhood.
Objectives:
To find the commonest mode of presentation of this disorder in children. The study also aims to find out the age at which it commonly occurs, commonest site affected in the brain and the ethnic group and region most commonly affected in Western Nepal.
Methods:
Retrospective hospital based study carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara from June 2004 to June 2009.
Results:
Over the period of five years, 678 patients were admitted for seizures; out of which 109 patients were diagnosed as having neurocysticercosis (16%). Out of them, 66 (60.5%) were males and 43 (39.4%) were females. The age of presentation varied from 18 months to 16 years, with mean age 9.77 years. The most common age of presentation was between 6-10 years (n=47; 43.1%) and 11-15 years (n=47; 43.1%). Maximum number of patients were from Kaski district (n=41; 37.6%) followed by Syangja (n=34; 31.1%).The commonest presentation was with seizures (n=85; 77.9 %); generalised seizures was present in 45 patients (52%). Psychiatric manifestations were present in 3 patients (2.7%). The lesions were found mostly in the parietal region (n=65; 59.6 %). Most of the lesions were single (n=89; 81.6%). Out of 109 patients, 74 patients (67.8%) improved without any recurrence of symptoms on two years follow-up.
Conclusion:
Neurocysticercosis is a preventable zoonotic disease which results in significant morbidity in children where sanitary measures are inadequate. Any child presenting with a first episode, afebrile seizure should be screened for neurocysticercosis provided other common causes are ruled out.
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