Objective: Microsurgery is an optional way to treat parenchymal neurocysticercosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of microsurgery in cerebral parenchymal cysticercosis.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of the clinical data and outcomes of microsurgery in 20 cases of cerebral parenchymal cysticercosis.
Results: All head segments found in cysticercus cysts were removed completely. Total resection of the cystic wall was achieved in 16 cases and subtotal resection in 4 cases. Twelve patients recovered from intracranial hypertension soon after the operation. No novel complications or deaths occurred postoperatively. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 10 years; among them, 14 patients who had epilepsy before surgery were markedly improved and controlled, 4 of 5 patients recovered from hemiparesis within 6 months after surgery, and 2 patients with cerebellar ataxia showed improvement. Two patients were lost to follow-up.
Conclusions: Despite a high rate of misdiagnosis of cerebral parenchymal cysticercosis, microsurgery is associated with satisfactory clinical outcomes in appropriately selected patients.
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