MRI of CNS parasitic diseases

This article reviews MRI findings of parasitic diseases of the central nerv ous system (CNS), with emphasis on neurocysticercosis, which is by far the most common CNS parasitic infection worldwide. MRI findings of neurocystice rcosis are various, depending on the location (parenchymal, cisternal, vent ricular, and spinal forms), and temporal evolutional stages (vesicular, col loid vesicular, granular nodular, and nodular calcified stages) of the worm . Classical findings of each location and stage are presented. Characterist ic MRI: findings of cerebral toxoplasmosis frequently seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), paragonimiasis, and sparganosis that have most commonly been reported hn East Asia are also illustrated. M RI is superior to CT scan in the evaluation of most CNS parasitic infection s and is nearly diagnostic, particularly in endemic areas, Contrast-enhance d study is essential not only for specific diagnosis of the disease, but al so for assessment of the inflammatory activity.