Detection of muscle calcifications by thigh CT scan in neurocysticercosis patients

Twenty-five patients with calcified neurocysticercosis (two to four intraparenchymal brain calcifications) were asked to have a non-contrasted computed tomography (CT) scan of the thighs to determine the frequency of muscle calcifications detected by this technique. Thirteen (52%) showed one or more muscle calcifications. The numbers of calcifications in the thighs and the brain were not correlated. Patients with a positive CT scan for muscle calcifications were also examined by X-rays to compare both methods. Only 6 of 13 had visible calcifications on X-ray. Thigh CT scans can demonstrate muscle calcifications in a significant proportion of patients with calcified neurocysticercosis. © 2005 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.