All of the following are true of Neurocvsticercosis EXCEPT
(B) More common in vegetarians # Neurocysticercosis is caused by infection with the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, and undergoes specific clinical and imaging changes at it progresses through four stages of infection.1. Vesicular - viable parasite with intact membrane and therefore no host reaction. Cyst is CSF density / intensity, and a hyperintense scolex on T1WI can sometimes be seen. No enhancement is typical, although very faint enhancement of the wall and enhancement of the scolex may be seen.2. Colloidal vesicular- parasite dies and the cyst fluid becomes turbid (hyperdense and hyper- intense on T1WI). As the membrane becomes leaky oedema surrounds the cyst and the wall becomes thickened and brightly enhances - scolex can often still be seen as an eccentric focus of enhancement.3. Granular nodal - Oedema decreases as the cyst retracts further. Enhancement persists.4. Nodular calcified - end stage quiescent calcified cyst remnant. No oedema.# Cysticercus is the larval form of the cestode, Taenia solium (pork tapeworm).> Humans acquire infection that lead to intestinal tapeworms by ingesting under cooked pork containing cysticerci.> Cysticerci in the brain parenchyma cause rice-grain calcifications.> Humans are the only definitive hosts for Taenia solium, pigs are the usual intermediate hosts.> Albendazole or praziquantel may be used in neurocysticercosis.
Albendazole is the drug of choice
More common in vegetarians
Produces intracerebral calcification
Man is the definitive host
Miscellaneous