Neurocysticercosis in South Asian Adult Population: An Imaging Based Prospective Study

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) has become an important emerging infection in the industrialized world due to increased travel and immigration of people from endemic areas. About 40 million of the 50 people with epilepsy in the world reside in the developing world where epilepsy continues to be a highly stigmatizing condition [135]. In most developing countries, 10 % of acute neurological cases are patients with NCC. The study compares the efficacy of various imaging modalities - Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in diagnosing NCC. We conclude that both MRI and CT scan plays a key role in establishing the cause of ring enhancing lesion like NCC and its extent of involvement. In NCC if available and feasible, MRI must be undertaken. Moreover routine MRI examination should be coupled with MRS for cases with suspected intracranial ring enhancing lesions like NCC as it could increase the diagnostic accuracy. But this is an exorbitant and not easily available tool putting it out of the reach of most patients in developing countries who are the ones who suffer from this disease. Hence contrast enhanced CT scan remains the imaging modality of choice for NCC in developing countries.