Study of Neurocysticercosis in the Pediatrics Ward of Atertiary Care Centre in Garhwal Region (Uttarakhand) India

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is infestation of human central nervous system with tissue cysts of pork tapeworm Taeniasolium. Human beings acquire cysticercosis through faecal oral contamination with T. soliumeggs or poor hygiene practices in food handling by tapeworm carriers. Clinical presentation of NCC can be variable. Seizures are the commonest presentation of NCC. Various types of seizures have been described among patients with NCC including generalized, focal and rarely myoclonus and acquired epilepticaphasia. In general, it seems that about half thecases have partial seizures and the other half generalized seizures, a proportion similar to that of the general population. Neuroimaging is the mainstay of diagnosis of NCC. Lesions suggestive of NCC on CT, in patients with compatible clinical picture in endemic areas are usually diagnosed as NCC. The study was based on 540 total number of patients admitted with neurocysticercosis (NCC) over a period of three years. These all patients were admitted in department of pediatrics, VCSGGMS&RI (Government Medical College, Srinagar Garhwal), Uttarakhand. All Neuroim aging investigations were investigated in department of Radio diagnosis, Government medical college and hospital, Srinagar. Pathological and microbiological investigation also done in central lab of government medical college and Hospital, Srinagar. All the patients were examined clinically and were investigated with neuro imaging. In addition to above X-Ray chest, Mantoux test, Hematological investigations including ESR and CSF was done to rule out Tuberculoma. Routine stool examination was also done. During our 3 years of study period NCC has emerged as an alarming public health problem of our region and its incidence has risen from 33.33% in 2012 to 42.26 % in 2014 in pediatric patients .The rising incidence could be due to high index of suspicion in every case presenting with seizures. A strikingly high incidence of Neurocysticercosis (NCC) was found among the pediatric patients of our tertiary care hospital. A high incidence of NCC in this region reflects the endemic presence of