Lacunar syndrome due to neurocysticercosis

Arch Neurol. 1989 Apr;46(4):415-7. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1989.00520400075022.

Abstract

Seven patients with neurocysticercosis presented with a lacunar syndrome. Four patients had sensorimotor stroke, two had pure motor hemiparesis, and one had ataxic hemiparesis. In every patient, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging or both showed a lacunar infarct that was secondary to the occlusion of a terminal vessel affected by endarteritis and was most commonly associated with cysticerci in the suprasellar cistern. Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was difficult on clinical grounds, but proper integration of data from computed tomography and cerebrospinal fluid analysis provided an accurate diagnosis in every case. Neurocysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young adults with a lacunar syndrome who come from areas of the world where this disease is endemic.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / physiopathology
  • Cysticercosis / complications*
  • Cysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Hemiplegia / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemiplegia / etiology*
  • Hemiplegia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed