Worms in the Brain!

Did you know that worms can penetrate the human brain?

Well it seems most of the Internet just found out, because searches for the phrase "worms in the brain" is volcanic on google right now!

So why the mass worms in the brain search hysteria?

Well it seems an episode of Greys Anatomy has sparked the public imagination into the little known world of parasites inside the human brain.

Known by the medical term neurocysticercosis, it continues parasites in the human brain. Historically neurocysticercosis was endemic to only Latin America, Asia, and Africa, although it has become increasingly frequent in the United States since the 1980s.

Neurocysticercosis is typically benign, and most lesions spontaneously resolve within 2-3 months; however, mortality is highly dependent on whether the disease process is simple or complicated.

Simple neurocysticercosis occurs in children with only a single exposure to cysts. These children tend to have solitary cysts and fewer complications. Often, children can be treated symptomatically and have a favorable prognosis. This type of neurocysticercosis tends to be observed in the United States and other nonendemic areas.

Complicated neurocysticercosis occurs in children in endemic areas who are repeatedly exposed to ova. Because of complications from increased intracranial pressure and difficulty controlling seizures, these children may have a less favorable prognosis. Complications can arise from uncontrolled seizures, hydrocephalus, papilledema, and occasionally, headaches and emesis, although all of these complications are rare.