PURPOSE: This study was performed to understand the relation between the scolex as demonstrated on gradient echo (GRE) imaging in a calcified cysticercus cyst and the development of perilesional edema that may be of value in understanding the pathogenesis of this entity. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with solitary calcified lesion on computed tomography (CT), with seizures of recent onset (within 15 days), were selected for this study. All the patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including GRE imaging. The patients were grouped on the basis of presence or absence of perilesional edema around the calcified lesion on MRI. RESULTS: There were 14 patients with perilesional edema, and seven patients had no evidence of edema. Of these 14 patients with perilesional edema, rim enhancement was detected in 13 patients on postcontrast MRI, whereas no enhancement was observed in one patient. The scolex was seen in all these 14 patients on GRE images. Of the seven patients without evidence of edema, the scolex was not seen in any of these patients on GRE imaging. In addition, there was no evidence of any contrast enhancement on postcontrast study in any of the patients in this group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the calcified cysts with scolex seen on GRE imaging are associated with perilesional edema. This is probably due to preservation of antigenic material in these calcified cysts, the release of which provokes an inflammatory response that may be responsible for the perilesional edema.
PURPOSE: This study was performed to understand the relation between the scolex as demonstrated on gradient echo (GRE) imaging in a calcified cysticercus cyst and the development of perilesional edema that may be of value in understanding the pathogenesis of this entity. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with solitary calcified lesion on computed tomography (CT), with seizures of recent onset (within 15 days), were selected for this study. All the patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including GRE imaging. The patients were grouped on the basis of presence or absence of perilesional edema around the calcified lesion on MRI. RESULTS: There were 14 patients with perilesional edema, and seven patients had no evidence of edema. Of these 14 patients with perilesional edema, rim enhancement was detected in 13 patients on postcontrast MRI, whereas no enhancement was observed in one patient. The scolex was seen in all these 14 patients on GRE images. Of the seven patients without evidence of edema, the scolex was not seen in any of these patients on GRE imaging. In addition, there was no evidence of any contrast enhancement on postcontrast study in any of the patients in this group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the calcified cysts with scolex seen on GRE imaging are associated with perilesional edema. This is probably due to preservation of antigenic material in these calcified cysts, the release of which provokes an inflammatory response that may be responsible for the perilesional edema.
Authors: Winnie W Ooi; Subhashie Wijemanne; Christine B Thomas; Martha Quezado; Charles R Brown; Theodore E Nash Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: R K Gupta; R Awasthi; R K Garg; N Kumar; P K Gupta; A K Singh; P Sahoo; V K Paliwal; K N Prasad; C M Pandey; R K S Rathore Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2012-11-22 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Arturo Carpio; Mindy Chang; Hongbin Zhang; Matthew L Romo; Alex Jaramillo; W Allen Hauser; Elizabeth A Kelvin Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2019-07-29 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Theodore E Nash; Luther A Bartelt; Poonum S Korpe; Beatriz Lopes; Eric R Houpt Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2014-01-06 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Theodore E Nash; E Javier Pretell; Andres G Lescano; Javier A Bustos; Robert H Gilman; Armando E Gonzalez; Héctor H Garcia Journal: Lancet Neurol Date: 2008-11-03 Impact factor: 44.182
Authors: T E Nash; O H Del Brutto; J A Butman; T Corona; A Delgado-Escueta; R M Duron; C A W Evans; R H Gilman; A E Gonzalez; J A Loeb; M T Medina; S Pietsch-Escueta; E J Pretell; O M Takayanagui; W Theodore; V C W Tsang; H H Garcia Journal: Neurology Date: 2004-06-08 Impact factor: 9.910