Epilepsy Due to Solitary Calcified Cysticercus Granuloma

Pathogens. 2023 Aug 14;12(8):1037. doi: 10.3390/pathogens12081037.

Abstract

The calcified stage of the neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the common cause of acquired epilepsy in low and middle income countries in people aged > 20 years. Approximately 30% of adult onset seizures and epilepsy are attributable to NCC. In India and some of the Latin American countries, epilepsy due to solitary calcified NCC is the common adult onset epilepsy. The current evidence suggests that the calcified cysticercus granuloma is probably the epileptogenic focus. The mechanisms involved in the epileptogenic process are not well understood; Focal-onset seizures with or without impaired awareness are the common seizure type. Focal-onset seizure can evolve to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. Seizure outcome with anti-seizure medication, most often with monotherapy, is very good. The seizure disorders associated with various stages of NCC can be preventable.

Keywords: anti-seizure medication; convulsive status epilepticus; focal-onset seizure; neurocysticercosis; solitary calcified cysticercus granulaoma; solitary calcified neurocysticercosis.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.