Cysticercosis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
History and Symptoms
Presenting symptoms vary with according to the site of infestation:
Neurocysticercosis
Parenchymal:
Many cases (up to 80%) can remain asymptomatic and discovered either in autopsies or accidentally during routine imaging. 19
- Seizures: Most common manifestation of parenchymal neuroccysticercosis.20Seizers can be focal, generalized or focal with secondary generalization.
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Psychiatric disorders: has a wide variatoin from abnormal dysfunction and up to dementia (20)
Extraparenchymal:
1. Ocular cysticercosis:
- Symptoms depend on the exact site of infestation in the eye.
- Retinal and subretinal infestaion have the worst prognosis and are the most difficult to treat.
2. Extraparenchymal in the brain ventricles and subarachnoid space:
Cysticerci obstruct of the flow of the CSF and cause hydrocephalus. Symptoms usually result from increased intracranial pressure.
3. Spinal cord cysticercosis:
It is very rare (1.5-3% of all the cases). (21)The presentaion depends on the site of the lesion.
- Low back pain that may radiate down the legs
- Weakness in the legs and feet
- Loss of sensation in the legs and feet
- Bladder and bowel incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
- Foot drop
- Decreased or absent reflexes in the legs
- Pain in the chest and/or back
- Loss of sensation below the level of the compression
- Paralysis of respiratory muscles
Extraneural
Muscular cysticercosis
- Can be asymptomatic and calcification discovered accidentally on imaging
- Muscle aches and weakness
Cutaneous cysticercosis
- Can be asymptomatic
- Discomfort, pruritis and excoriations