Cysticercosis of the brain. The value of computed tomography

Incidence and radiologic findings of neurocysticercosis were investigated in a series of 23,800 consecutive head examinations using computed tomography (CT). The condition was diagnosed in 168 cases (0.7%). The parenchymatous form was the most common presentation (96.3%), while the meningeal form corresponded to only 11.9 per cent of cases. These two forms coexisted in some cases. These findings reversed the knowledge on the condition based on conventional radiography. The different CT appearances in the brain are described and a new radiologic protocol for the CT evaluation of the condition is advocated, which includes a follow-up after a trial cure with Praziquantel in the presence of cysts not associated with suggestive brain calcifications. CT was more sensitive than conventional radiography in the differentiation between dead and living larvae, thus having an impact on the therapeutic management of the patients.