Neuroimaging Features of an Experimental Model of Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate magnetic resonance images acquired from rats subjected to a murine model of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis. Methods The model consisted of injecting 50 Taenia crassiceps cysticerci into the cisterna magna of Wistar rats. To validate disease induction, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, focusing on the assessment of hydrocephalus and cysts distribution throughout the cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Ventricular dilation was quantified using the frontal horn ratio (FHR), calculated by dividing the maximal width of the frontal horns by the inner-table internal diameter. Results Intracranial abnormalities were found 63.0% of the animals, predominantly ventricular dilation (> 90%), mainly involving the lateral ventricles. The most affected compartments were the cisterna magna (85.2%) and supratentorial basal cisterns (78.8%). Cysts were identified in the cerebral convexity in 10.6% of cases and in the subcutaneous tissue in 39.2% of infected animals. The mean FHR was 0.62 ± 0.13. Higher FHR values were associated with the presence of cysts in the CSF, but not in the subcutaneous tissue ( p = 0.743). Conclusion The translational relevance of this extraparenchymal NCC model is underscored by neuroimaging findings that closely resemble the human condition, providing a valuable platform for future mechanistic studies on pathogenesis and treatment development.