Neurocysticercosis: a clinical and radiological appraisal from Kerala State, South India.

OBJECTIVES

Little has been published on Neurocysticercosis (NCC) in the State of Kerala, South India. This study was conducted to describe the clinical and radiological features of NCC in Kerala and also to study the frequency of NCC as seen in a tertiary referral setting.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We evaluated retrospectively 11 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of NCC from 1986 to 1998. A pre-abstracted proforma containing detailed demographic data, dietary habits, clinical features and history of travel outside Kerala and neuroimaging findings were obtained from patient records and the data was tabulated and analysed. Follow up assessment was made three months after treatment.

RESULTS

There were a total of 11 patients, including nine males and two females in the age range of 24 to 62 years and a mean age of 35.2 years. All were nonvegans, only 36% were pork eaters while 18% claimed consumption of salads and uncooked vegetables. 55% of patients were migrants. Migrants were defined as those who lived outside the state of Kerala for more than six months. Seizure was the most common presenting complaint and occurred in all patients (100%). Multiple ring enhancing lesions were seen on computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in 60%. Calcified lesions were noted in two patients. An isolated instance of miliary or disseminated cysticercosis with subcutaneous nodules and multiple brain lesions in MRI scan was observed. All patients received anticysticercal therapy besides anticonvulsants.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that NCC is rather uncommon in Kerala. Better socioeconomic status, high literacy rate, improved sanitation and health care in the state of Kerala could be reasons for this observation. A prospective case-control study of NCC in Kerala is needed to study these factors.