Summary
A young Mexican female developed neurocysticercosis presenting as a lymphocytic meningoencephalitis with eosinophilia. Parasitic cysts in the fourth ventricle and pre-pontine cistern were well visualized by magnetic resonance imaging but not by computerized tomography. The meningoencephalitis recurred despite treatment with praziquantel and dexamethasone, and obstructive hydrocephalus eventually developed. The patient remains well one year after excision of the intraventricular cyst. This case emphasizes the distinct advantages of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intraventricular neurocysticercosis, and the potential need for surgical rather than medical intervention in this condition.
Zusammenfassung
Bei einer jungen Mexikanerin trat eine Neurozystizerkose unter dem Bild einer lymphozytären Meningoenzephalitis mit Eosiniphilie auf. Mit Kernspintomographie konnten im vierten Ventrikel und der Cisterna chiasmatis deutlich Parasitenzysten dargestellt werden, während die Computertomographie negativ blieb. Die Meningoenzephalitis rezidivierte trotz Behandlung mit Praziquantel und Dexamethason, und es entwickelte sich allmählich ein obstruktiver Hydrocephalus. Ein Jahr nach Exzision der intraventrikulären Zyste ist die Patientin in gutem Zustand. Dieser Fall bestätigt die eindeutigen Vorteile der Kernspintomographie in der Diagnostik der intraventrikulären Neurozystizerkose und die Tatsache, daß bei dieser Erkrankung unter Umständen eher eine chirurgische als eine medikamentöse Behandlung erfolgen sollte.
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Hanlon, K.A., Vern, B.A., Tan, W.S. et al. MRI in intraventricular neurocysticercosis: A case report. Infection 16, 242–244 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650762
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650762