Neurocysticercosis is divided into how many disease types?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer: (B)

Neurocysticercosis is categorized by where the cysts are located in the central nervous system, which creates two principal disease forms. If the cysts lie within the brain tissue itself, it’s parenchymal neurocysticercosis; this pattern often presents with seizures or focal neurological symptoms, and imaging shows cysts embedded in the parenchyma, sometimes progressing to calcified remnants. If cysts are outside the brain parenchyma—in the ventricular system or subarachnoid spaces—the disease is extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis; this form is more prone to obstructive hydrocephalus and meningitis-like symptoms, with cysts seen in ventricles or basal cisterns. Because the location drives clinical course and management, the disease is divided into two main types. Within those patterns, the parasite’s stage (viable, degenerating, calcified) describes progression but does not create separate major categories.