Cysticercosis of the nervous system

In most Western countries cysticercosis is a rare disease and may at times cause serious diagnostic difficulties, but in South Africa, parts of India, Eastern Europe and South America it is fairly common and frequently features in differential diagnosis in its varying clinical forms. With the advent of computed tomography, diagnosis of the disease, particularly the asymptomatic forms, has become more frequent. As in other parts of the world, the true incidence of this disease in South Africa is unknown, as many more cases are encountered than are recorded and asymptomatic infestation is common. There is great regional variation, depending on pig-breeding, local customs and public health measures.