Cysticercosis in the 4th Ventricle.

Park, T S; Jung, H H; Chung, S S; Lee, H J

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1974;3(2): 181-188.

Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

ABSTRACT

Cerebral cysticercosis has a world-wide distribution, being found frequently in Mexico, parts of Central & South America, Spain, Eastern Europe & the Far East. A few cases have been reported in Korea. The clinical manifestations are dependent on the intensity of the infestation, number of parasites, their particular locations as well as other toxi-immuno-biologic reaction still poorly known and understood. In the ventricular variety, the lesion may be located within the lateral, 3rd or 4th ventricles as a solitary cysticercosis vesicle or there may be multiple cysticerci. The clinical course in typified by hypertensive crisis followed by spontaneous remissons caused by transitory and intermittent episodes of cerebrospinal fluid blocking. These patients are, as a matter of fact, the best candidates for successful immediate surgical treatment. Conray ventriculogram is the most significant diagnostic procedure and it shows definite location and size of the cystic mass. Three cases of cysticercosis in the 4th ventricle are reported and typical ventriculographic findings are briefly discussed.