Neurocysticercosis as the main cause of late-onset epilepsy in Mexico

Arch Intern Med. 1990 Feb;150(2):325-7.

Abstract

We studied 100 consecutive Mexican patients with epilepsy that started after the age of 25 years. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, computed tomography, and electroencephalography; additionally, cerebrospinal fluid analysis was performed in 82 of them. Neurocysticercosis or its sequelae were diagnosed in 50 patients (50%); 36 of these patients had partial seizures, 41 had parenchymal calcifications, and 15 had two or more lesions. Our results are in contrast with those of most studies from countries with a low incidence of neurocysticercosis, where brain tumors, cerebrovascular disease, trauma, and alcoholism are the main causes of tardive epilepsy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cysticercosis / complications*
  • Cysticercosis / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed