Article Sidebar
Article Details
Copyright remains in the Author’s name. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial Works License. Authors are required to complete and sign an Author Agreement form that outlines Author and Publisher rights and terms of publication. The Agreement form should be uploaded along with other submissions files and any submission will be considered incomplete without it [forthcoming].
Material submitted for publication in the SAMJ is accepted provided it has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Please inform the editorial team if the main findings of your paper have been presented at a conference and published in abstract form, to avoid copyright infringement. The SAMJ does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.
Previously published images
If an image/figure has been previously published, permission to reproduce or alter it must be obtained by the authors from the original publisher and the figure legend must give full credit to the original source. This credit should be accompanied by a letter indicating that permission to reproduce the image has been granted to the author/s. This letter should be uploaded as a supplementary file during submission.
Main Article Content
Neurocysticercosis in patients presenting with epilepsy at St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lusikisiki
Abstract
Objective. To survey the prevalence of neurocysticercosis in patients treated for epilepsy in Lusikisiki, E Cape.
Design. This was a descriptive study. Variables considered were age, gender, symptoms and type of seizure, serological data, electroencephalogram and computed tomography (CT) findings, treatment, and ownership of pigs. Prevalence and risk assessment were determined by statistical analysis. Subjects and setting. 113 patients presenting with epilepsy at St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lusikisiki, E Cape.
Outcome measures. Prevalence of neurocysticercosis in patients
presenting with epilepsy.
Results. CT scans indicated that 61.1% of the patients had
neurocysticercosis-associated epilepsy, the prevalence being
highest in the 10 - 19-year-old age group (12.4% of the total).
Neuro-imaging studies showed that calcified lesions were frequent, while active lesions were often associated with positive serological results. Non-commercial pig farming was not a significant risk factor for neurocysticercosis in the sample studied.
Conclusion. Neurocysticercosis was common in patients
presenting with and undergoing treatment for epilepsy.
