CNS cysticercosis.

Worldwide, cysticercosis is the most common CNS parasite. Because of immigration from endemic areas, cysticercosis has become more common in the United States. Seventeen cases have been seen at the University of California Medical Center, San Diego (La Jolla) over the last ten years. Eight patients had intracranial hypertension; three, seizures; three, intracranial hypertension; and seizures; two, strokes; and one, retinal involvement. Diagnosis was by surgical biopsy in five cases and by clinical setting plus positive serologic findings in 12. Twelve patients underwent surgical procedures during their illness, one patient died, and five improved with steroid therapy. Clinical, serologic, and pathologic criteria permit definitive diagnosis. Therapy is currently directed toward complications of the primary infection, which usually is inactive at the time of presentation.