Pediatric Cysticercosis Follow-up

Updated: Oct 21, 2021
  • Author: Delaram Ghadishah, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD  more...
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Follow-up

Further Care

Further outpatient care

Treat seizures with anticonvulsant medications. Follow-up with a neurologist is recommended for patients with numerous lesions or seizures. Follow-up with an ophthalmologist is recommended for patients with visual lesions or complications.

Further inpatient care

Monitor patients with cysticercosis for anticonvulsant levels or signs of toxicity. Monitor with serial neurologic examinations and initiate corticosteroid therapy if cerebral edema is present. Place a ventriculoperitoneal shunt if acute hydrocephalus develops. Brain surgery may be recommended for a mass effect, and ocular surgery may be recommended for the removal of cysts.

Inpatient and outpatient medications

The following medications may be indicated:

  • Anticonvulsant medications as indicated

  • Corticosteroids for cerebral edema due to inflammation

  • Antihelminthic medications if indicated

Transfer

Transfer patients if specialized care, such as that provided by a neurosurgeon or ophthalmologist, is needed.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Avoid areas and countries with poor hygiene.

Persons traveling to developing countries with high rates of endemic cysticercosis should avoid ingestion of unboiled or nonpurified water or ice cubes and should also avoid eating uncooked pork or vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.

All family members of an index patient with cysticercosis, as well as persons handling their food, should be examined for signs of disease or evidence of adult worm infection.

Persons known to have the adult T solium tapeworm should be immediately treated and should exercise care in handwashing to prevent contamination with feces.

Examine the stool of food handlers who have recently emigrated from countries with endemic disease for T solium eggs and proglottids.

Raw or undercooked pork should not be eaten, as this may result in infection with the adult tapeworm.

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