Neurocysticercosis in Preschool Children: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common infection of the central nervous system caused by larvae of taenia solium. This disease is endemic in developing countries, showing the hig­hest incidence in schoolchildren and adolescent patients of the pediatric population. It shows clinical diversity and pathological findings, generally presenting intraparenchymal forms associated with seizures or extraparenchymal forms related to intracranial hypertension. Clinical and epidemio­logical suspicion of the disease obliges studies of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, besides the specific serological studies. Case presentation: A clinical case of a preschool girl with neurocysticercosis was registered at the Hospital Infantil Napoleon Franco Pareja (HINFP) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, characterized by a clinical picture which debuts with tonic seizures in extremities, so that a study of ct was requested, that showed encephalitis images compatible with brain cysticercosis. Hospitalization was decided, starting with cesticide, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory management. Conclusion: The imaging findings and clinical course of neu­rocysticercosis in childhood are associated with the disease stage and the host immune response.

Keywords

• Neurocysticercosis
• Taenia solium
• Epilepsy
• Cysticercosis
• Encephalitis