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Neurocysticercosis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain / Pork Tapeworm

The most useful diagnostic test and the primary diagnostic criteria is neuroimaging.

Diagnosis stems from suspicions that arises from the clinical manifestations of the disease. Patients from endemic areas presenting with seizures, a normal neurological examination and spontaneous resolution after therapy with albendazole is consistent with a diagnosis of neurocysticercosis

Imaging

The most useful diagnostic test and the primary diagnostic criteria is neuroimaging, at first by Contrast CT (shows ring enhancement, nodular calcifications), If that is not conclusive then an MRI has to be performed. A contrast CT will pick up a calcified cyst whereas MRI is better for identifying cystic lesions and enhancement

Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain: CT Scan

Immunologic Assays

The second major diagnostic criteria is the detection of specific antibodies to cysticerci by using a specific immunoblot assay. However patients with single lesions and calcifications may be seronegative. But these assays are not widely available.

CSF examination for neurocysticercosis is indicated in patients presenting with new-onset seizures or neurological deficit whose neuroimaging does not give a definitive diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain: CSF Examination

CSF findings include the following:

  • Mononuclear pleocytosis
  • Normal or low glucose levels
  • Elevated protein levels
  • High IgG index
  • Oligoclonal bands, in some cases
  • Eosinophilia (5-500 cells/µL); however, this also occurs in neurosyphilis and CNS tuberculosis
  • CSF ELISA for neurocysticercosis has a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 65%

However, these assays are not widely available.


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Comments

Sunilpaul

how can we remove the cyst from the brain?

iriechic

Hi. Is anyone is this group in the USA? It's very rare here, so I cannot find any helpful doctors.

NMcCarthy

New York has several doctors who have been doing research on these health problem. Google Dr. Christina Coyle from Jacobi Hospital. She has done researches and has experience with this infections. Heads up, the treatment is heavy and long. I am suffering the struggle of this problem too. I had a brain surgery and that was easier than the medications. Good luck

@Guest

Surgery! I just experience my first brain surgery and by surprise they found a worm in my cyst. Now I am in treatment with albendazole and steroids. The treatment is worst than the surgery. The treatment will be for a year and steroids in high amounts produce other problems!

sg1234

My brother also had same problem. He had diagnosed with same problem last year in January and yesterday he had got same symptoms again. We had a full dose for the treatment for 18 months, as doctor said.
But now we are shocked to see the symptoms again. Please note we are vegetarians and still faced this problem.

Can anyone tell us:
1. some of the good experts. Currently we are referring to Mr Sunil Mallik [Neurologist], Dr Kawre etc.
2. Is this problem cures permanently or one has to take medicines throughout life?
3. Is there any specialist/hospital for this who can guide in better way?
4. What about other ways to cure?..Homeopathy?, Ajmer baba etc?

Bangalorean

My father is suffering from Nuerocysticercosis since the last 9 months. He was on Albendazole twice for about 3 weeks each time. The number and size of the cysts have gone down to about half but some still exists. The doctor is careful and does want to overdose him on Albendazole but my father has the episodes of memory loss every few months. What other options do we have for his treatment? Also, can we share the Nuerosurgeon/Nuero doctors names and info here so that other people can benefit from them. My father is currently being treated by Dr. Mahendra in MS Ramaiah hospital in Bangalore.

23jyoti

I am 25 yr girl. My testosterone is very high. I have fecial hair problem reason for it hormone. Its my major problem in my life. I take doctor's treatment but I am not satisfy, never any changes in my testosterone.

mamtamohankumar

Anyone suffering from Neurocysticercosis please note

me Mamta Thakur, I am suffering , seizures, nausea, doctors said 3 years of medication and if things at last after 3 years will be surgery, than someone told me about the below mention person, within half hour he took out 3 worms with the cyst and the outer shell of the worms from my rain, medication is on going as he said there is net in ur brain so in ur brain so it will take 3 months but with my own eyes and without any pain literally saw the 3 worms, shell and the cyst.

non of the doctors, neuro science is and will be believing this but for those who are suffering we know the pain the worst feeling and as we try everything lets also try this one too.. 1000 of proves are there of living persons who got healed.

Have faith in God...

sunilparashar

can u please let me know the place where to visit in ajmer, my sister is also suffering from same problem, i have heard about baba in ajmer but didn't know the place ... please help

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