NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS AMONG CHILDREN IN CHICAGO

Neurocysticercosis has been diagnosed increasingly in the United State s as a consequence of increased immigration from and travel to areas o f endemic cysticercosis. We report a retrospective series of 47 pediat ric cases of neurocysticercosis in our large children's hospital in Ch icago, which has a large immigrant population. Neurocysticercosis was diagnosed on the basis of any of the following three criteria: (1) sur gical biopsy findings, (2) radiographic findings consistent with neuro cysticercosis as well as diagnostic serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid t iters, or (3) consistent radiographic findings and a compatible epidem iologic history (without diagnostic serological findings). Epidemiolog ic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data were analyzed. Neurocy sticercosis is a relatively common cause of afebrile seizures in child ren who present to our emergency department in Chicago. Computed tomog raphy 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 neurocystice rcosis. Therapy is well tolerated. The long-term prognosis for treated patients appears to be excellent.