Title

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurocysticercosis

Authoring Organizations

Infectious Diseases Society of America

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Publication Month/Year

April 3, 2018

Last Updated Month/Year

November 25, 2024

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

These guidelines present our approaches to the diagnosis and management of patients with the different forms of neurocysticercosis, including viable parenchymal neurocysticercosis, single enhancing lesions, calcified parenchymal neurocysticercosis, ventricular neurocysticercosis, and subarachnoid neurocysticercosis. Our recommendations are based on the best evidence available. Due to the complex variations in clinical manifestations and the limitations of the literature, many of the recommendations are based on observational studies, anecdotal data, or expert opinion rather than randomized clinical trials. The approaches we describe are intended to be both applicable and feasible in the United States and Canada (for simplicity, referred to here as North America). The recommendations may not apply for settings where resource constraints may limit their applicability. The executive summary below lists the recommendations for the diagnosis and clinical management of neurocysticercosis. A detailed description of the methods, background, and evidence summaries that support each of the recommendations can be found online in the full text of the guidelines. A criterion for grading evidence is presented in. Note that diagnosis and management of patients with neurocysticercosis can be challenging even with expert guidelines. Due to this complexity, clinicians with little experience with this disease should have a low threshold for consultation with an expert in the disease.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Infant, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Diagnosis, Treatment, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D020019 - Neurocysticercosis

Keywords

neurocysticercosis, Taenia solium, cysticercosis, taeniasis, tropical medicine

Source Citation

White AC et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurocysticercosis: 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society (IDSA) of America and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).