Childhood central nervous system cysticercosis in Australia.

Cysticercosis of the central nervous system is seen infrequently in Australia. Most cases occur in adults, but two imported cases of neurocysticercosis in children are described. A 10-year-old Anglo-Indian girl presented with aseptic meningitis, raised intracranial pressure and a block to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the lumbar region. Laminectomy showed two cysticerci in the spinal subdural space. A three-year-old boy from Zimbabwe suffered a focal seizure. A granuloma that contained a degenerate cysticercus was found in the left parietal cortex. Serological examination of blood for cysticercosis was performed only in the second case and gave negative results. Examination of stools in both children gave negative results for the presence of parasites, cysts and ova.