Cysticercosis (cont.)

The symptoms of cysticercosis may develop from several months to several years after the initial infection (incubation period). The symptoms will depend on the location and the number of cysticerci, though many individuals with cysticercosis will never develop any symptoms at all. The majority of patients with cysticercosis who present to a health-care provider have central nervous system involvement (neurocysticercosis or NCC). Symptoms of neurocysticercosis may include the following:

• Nausea and vomiting



• Headache



• Lethargy



• Confusion



• Vision changes



• Weakness or numbness



• Seizure (often the presenting symptom, occurs in about 70% of people with NCC)

Involvement of other body tissues may cause skeletal muscle swelling, subcutaneous cysts, and vision changes from cysts infecting the eyes.

The diagnosis of cysticercosis can sometimes be difficult, and it may require a combination of tests and imaging studies to make the diagnosis. In general, however, the patient's clinical presentation along with abnormal radiographic imaging results (CT scan of the brain/MRI of the brain) lead to the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Pictures of the cysts in the brain can be found in the first reference listed below. Blood testing can sometimes be used as an adjunct in making the diagnosis, though it is not always helpful or accurate. These tests are usually done by specialist labs. Rarely, a biopsy from affected tissue may be needed to make the diagnosis. Stool studies are sometimes also obtained because they may contain identifiable parasite eggs.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/cysticercosis/article.htm