Neurocysticercosis among children in Chicago

Neurocysticercosis has been diagnosed increasingly in the United States as a consequence of increased immigration from and travel to areas of endemic cysticercosis. We report a retrospective series of 47 pediatric cases of neurocysticercosis in our large children's hospital in Chicago, which has a large immigrant population. Neurocysticercosis was diagnosed on the basis of any of the following three criteria: (1) surgical biopsy findings, (2) radiographic findings consistent with neurocysticercosis as well as diagnostic serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid titers, or (3) consistent radiographic findings and a compatible epidemiologic history (without diagnostic serological findings). Epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data were analyzed. Neurocysticercosis is a relatively common cause of afebrile seizures in children who present to our emergency department in Chicago. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are both important modalities in evaluation of children with neurocysticercosis. Laboratory studies are neither sensitive for nor predictive of the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Therapy is well tolerated. The long-term prognosis for treated patients appears to be excellent.