Lumbar puncture Lumbar puncture may be necessary to obtain prior imaging study to exclude intracranial mass effect. This test is insensitive and nonspecific in diagnosis of cysticercosis. Special Wright or Giemsa stains are needed to show CSF eosinophilia, a common but nonspecific finding. The demonstration of organisms within nodular tissue is diagnostic of cysticercosis. Administer oxygen, monitoring, and proper correction of metabolic abnormalities.
Anticonvulsants are reliably effective in controlling seizures secondary to cysticercosis.
Analgesics may be administered for pain control. Perform initiation of proper diagnostic procedures, including blood work and imaging. Consult appropriate specialists. Consultations may include neurosurgery, neurology, infectious diseases, and ophthalmology. Controversy exists as to whether or not antiparasitic treatment of cysticercosis is necessary in most cases.