Neurocysticercosis - Glossary

Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain / Pork Tapeworm - Glossary

Central Nervous System- consists of the brain and spinal cord.


Cyst, Cysticerci- The larval stage of the pork tapeworm, which lodges in the various tissues.

Portal Venous System- Where in blood from the stomach and intestines enters the liver and from there goes to the heart.

Subcutaneous Tissue- Tissue under the skin.

Striated muscle- voluntary muscle, skeletal muscle.

Focal Partial Seizures- seizures (fits) affecting only a part of the body such as just one limb.

Hydrocephalus- characterised by enlargement of cerebral ventricles due to excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, usually associated with raised pressure in the skull.

Causes enlargement of the head prominence of the forehead, mental deterioration. Raised pressure causes headache nausea vomiting, vision disturbances, mental confusion.

Cerbrospinal Fluid (CSF)- A clear colourless fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.


Subarachnoid space- A space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater filled with CSF.

Meningitis - Inflammation of the meninges (coverings of the brain- Dura, Arachnoid and Pia mater).

Arachnoiditis - Inflammation of the arachnoid mater.

Stroke- A sudden loss or deterioration of neurologic function due to cessation of blood supply to a part of the brain or bleeding into the brain tissues.

Contrast CT- Computerised Axial Tomography. An imaging technique using X rays to generate 3 dimensional images of an organ. In a contrast CT a intravenous dye is used to highlight specific areas which gives a clearer picture and aids in diagnosis.


MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses radio frequency signals to acquire images of the tissues and is an imaging technique best suited for non calcified tissue.

Calcification - Deposition of calcium in a tissue.

Endemic- The constant presence of a disease within a given geographical area.

Cysticidal- Drugs which kill the cyst.

Anticonvulsant Therapy- Drugs given to control and prevent seizures (fits).

Endoscopic Surgery- A technique which uses a viewing instrument, endoscope, that allows a surgeon to see images of the body's internal structures through very small incisions.

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