Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis using computed tomography: analysis of 2030 cases

Abstract

The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis using computed topographic (C7) scans is safe, reliable and non invasive; it identifies the various phases of the disease, and is more sensitive than immunologic tests in CSF. Our objective was to evaluate the population in wich neurocysticercosis was diagnosed in the Instituto de Tomografia Axial Computadorizada (I.T.A.C.) of Londrina, as well as the appearances found in the exams. We reviewed all the skull CT scans performed in the I. T.A. C. of Londrina between september 1986 and may 1994, and studied those in wich the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was made. The appearances o calcification, vesicles, granulomas and hydrocephalus were analysed, as well as the age, sex and origin from rural or urban communities. There were 2030 patients in wich neurocysticercosis was diagnosed. The majority (47, 6%) was between the ages of20 and 40; 886 (43,7%) were ma/e, and 1144 (56,3%) were female. Only 85 patients were from rural communities. Among the appearances we found, there were 983 singre calcifications (48,4%), 873 multiple calcifications (43,0%), 199 cysts orvesicles (9,8%) and 121 granulomas (5,9%). Hydrocephalus was present in 135exams (6, 7%), and in 86 exams there were parasites in two or more evolutional phases. The results are discussed based on the available literature.