DIFFICULTIES OF BRAIN PARASITIC INFECTIONS DIAGNOSTICS: CASE REPORT
Parasitic brain lesions (helminthiases) are currently found in our country more and more often, which may be associated with increased migration in recent years. Frequently they have a tumor-like course, which dictates the need for differential diagnosis with brain volumetric formations. But in the case of verification of a parasitic lesion, the question of identifying a specific pathogen arises. Among the main group of helminthiases that affect the nervous system (cysticercosis, echinococcosis, nematodosis, coenurosis), the most significant and common is cysticercosis. Cysticercosis - helminthiasis, which is the most common helminth infection of the nervous system. The causative agent is the larvae of the pork tapeworm. Cysticerci can be located in the brain parenchyma, subarachnoid space, ventricular system or spinal cord. The most common clinical manifestations of the disease are epileptic seizures, but some patients have focal neurological symptoms, intracranial hypertension or decreased cognitive function. Neuroimaging signs of neurocysticercosis, as well as immunological diagnostic tests are not specific and can be observed in other diseases of the nervous system. Accurate diagnosis is possible after analyzing and comparing the clinical symptoms, brain MRI data and the results of immunological tests with epidemiological data. In connection with the aforementioned difficulties of diagnosis, a description of the clinical case of neurocysticercosis in a middle-aged patient who was treated in the neurology department of the treatment and rehabilitation complex of the N. V. A. Almazov is given.