Sirivan Vanijanonta 
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract 
Cysticercosis is a common parasitic infection of populations in the tropical countries. It is due to infection by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Man acquires the infection by accidentally ingesting T. solium eggs. The incidence of this disease seems to be increasing in both endemic areas and non-endemic areas. The real incubation period is uncertain. Cysticerci can lodge anywhere in the human body but subcutaneous tissues, muscles, eyes and nervous system are more commonly affected. The larval parasites seem to have a special predilection for the central nervous system, where they can invade the parenchyma, the subarachnoidal spaces and the ventricular system. Clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to severe clinical disorders, especially in those with cerebral involvement. Neurocysticercosis presents various clinical signs and symptoms according to the site, number and size of cysts, and the stage of infection. Previously cysticercosis, either extracerebral or cerebral, was treated symptomatically. Steroids have been used for those with evidence of severe inflammatory reactions. Since the 1980s, the introduction of praziquantel and albendazole made the treatment of cysticercosis more effective. Multi-center studies claimed that albendazole was superior to praziquantel, especially for the treatment of ventricular cysts. CT and MRI made the diagnosis and radiological classification of the cysts, including the site and stage, and the interpretation of the drug’s response more impressive. The conventional treatment by albendazole and praziquantel has recently been reduced to an 8-day regimen. Praziquantel also gives satisfactory results as an ultra-short course one-day treatment. Surgical procedures are still needed for patients with intraventricular cysts and increased intracranial pressure. Other essential drugs are anticonvulsants, analgesics and antipsychologics.