Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2011; 54(2): 90-94
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275735
Case Report

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

“Full Moon” Endoscopic Sign in Intraventricular Neurocysticercosis

R. Ramos-Zúñiga1 , J. de La Cruz-Ramírez2 , P. M. Casillas-Espinosa1 , J. A. Sánchez-Prieto1 , M. D. S. López-Hernández1
  • 1Neurosurgical Experimental Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosciences, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
  • 2Department of Pathology, Hospital V. Gómez Farías, ISSSTE, Guadalajara Jalisco, México
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 June 2011 (online)

Abstract

Introduction: Despite improvements in sanitation, diagnosis and treatment, neurocysticercosis is still a public health problem in many countries. In symptomatic patients, there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. When cysticerci are lodged in the ventricles or the subarachnoid space, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid can be obstructed and lead to hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension. The endoscopic view may be useful as a diagnostic tool.

Patients: This report clearly shows a common endoscopic pattern in 4 selected patients with ventricular cysticercosis (2 third ventricle/2 lateral ventricle). The endoscopic view of the cysts in the ventricles resembles a “full moon”. This analogy helped to identify the features of cysticerci with intact walls and the vesicular stage, malleable due to its cystic content and having an irregular surface, as evidence of the microscopic structure of the cyst wall in a cysticercus.

Conclusions: This finding is not seen in other intraventricular cysts or tumors that can actually be considered as an additional diagnostic criterion among the definitive findings to establish the diagnosis of cysticercosis, since it involves direct endoscopic visualization of a cysticercus under histopathological demonstration. Additionally, the endoscopic approach can be used as primary treatment for these cases, following the minimally invasive approach principle.

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Correspondence

R. Ramos-ZúñigaMD, PhD 

Neurosurgical Experimental

Research Laboratory

Department of Neurosciences

Centro Universitario de Ciencias

de la Salud

Universidad de Guadalajara

Guadalajara Jalisco

Victoria # 1531

Lomas Providencia

CP: 44630

Mexico

Phone: +52/33/3617 6625

Fax: +52/33/3642 7964

Email: rodrigor@cencar.udg.mx

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