Computed tomography (CT) in parenchymatous cerebral cysticercosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by tapeworm larvae.
• Neurological involvement, particularly parenchymal brain cysticercosis, presents acute and chronic phases.
• Radiological diagnosis of acute cysticercosis was limited before CT scanning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and describe CT scan patterns in acute parenchymal cysticercosis.
• To evaluate the utility of CT scans in diagnosing chronic parenchymal cysticercosis.
• To determine the role of CT in identifying intracranial calcifications.

Main Methods:

• Review of 14 cases of acute parenchymal cysticercosis with CT scans.
• Analysis of CT findings, including density patterns and contrast enhancement.
• Review of 11 cases of chronic parenchymal cysticercosis, comparing CT and plain skull radiographs.

Main Results:

• Three distinct CT patterns were identified in acute parenchymal cysticercosis: diffuse low density, multiple low densities with central enhancement, and large cystic/ring lesions.
• CT scans can be diagnostic for cysticercosis in endemic areas, especially in children with suggestive clinical features.
• In chronic cysticercosis, CT provided minimal additional information when calcifications were already visible on plain skull radiographs, but was valuable for confirming doubtful findings.

Conclusions:

• CT patterns described are indicative of cysticercosis in endemic regions.
• CT scanning is a valuable tool for diagnosing acute parenchymal cysticercosis.
• CT aids in confirming intracranial calcifications in chronic cysticercosis when plain radiographs are equivocal.