Fourth ventricular cysticercosis

This is a review of the clinical presentation and results of surgical treatment of 25 cases of cysticercosis of the 4th ventricle. All of the patients presented with hydrocephalus and, after shunting, dilatation of the 4th ventricle persisted while the supratentorial ventricular system returned to its normal size. We propose that, after a shunt procedure is performed, early direct surgical excision of the parasite should be done. Good or excellent results were achieved in 81.4% of the patients. Associated arachnoiditis and vasculitis were the major causes of poor outcomes.