Heavy nonencephalitic cerebral cysticercosis in tapeworm carriers

We describe 11 patients with massive brain infection with viable cysticerci, undetectable inflammatory reaction on CNS imaging, and an unexpectedly high (82%) prevalence of tapeworm infection. With the exception of two individuals with heavy parasite loads, patients had a relatively benign clinical course and tolerated the use of cysticidal drugs. This group of patients represents a particular presentation of neurocysticercosis, different from the previously described syndromes of cysticercotic encephalitis and disseminated systemic cysticercosis.