Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an acquired parasitic infection of the central nervous system (CNS) in humans caused by encysted pork tapeworm larvae, namely Taenia solium. NCC has been discovered to be the most common etiology of focal seizure among the pediatric population. The severe CNS sequelae by NCC might cause to poor quality of life, eventually lead to sudden death. In this study, we report a case of NCC in a fifteen-year-old girl. Case illustration: a fifteen-year-old girl suddenly suffered a focal seizure of the right hand, along with a decreased of consciousness. The duration of the seizure was less than five minutes. It recurred for three times since ten hours before admission to hospital. She admitted that it was the first unprovoked seizure in her life. There was no record of fever and cough. She had a history of eating pork in the rural region of Sumba Island. Physical examination demonstrated GCS E3V4M5, normal findings of general and neurological status. Computed Tomography (CT) scan with contrast revealed a hypodense calcified lesion appended by a cyst with a dot sign, located at the grey-white matter junction at left parietal region. These findings supported colloidal vesicular stage of NCC. The diagnosis of this patient was neurocysticercosis. Therefore, she was given albendazole 400mg bid and valproic acid (15mg/kg/day) for a month, and intravenous dexamethasone (1mg/kg) with a maximum dose of 12 mg qid. After a month of treatment, she did not either have any seizure or other complaints. CT scan evaluation demonstrated a radiological improvement. Summary: NCC is identified as one of the commonest causes of epilepsy and seizure. The combination between antiparasitic with another supportive therapy gives comprehensive treatment of NCC.

Keywords: Neurocysticercosis, Epilepsy, Computed Tomography, Seizure

Abbreviations: Neurocysticercosis (NCC), Central Nervous System (CNS), Computed Tomography (CT)