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1327. The Diagnosis of Subarachnoid Neurocysticercosis Is Often Delayed And Other Findings of a Multicenter Retrospective in the USA
Abstract Background Subarachnoid (racemose) neurocysticercosis (SANCC) is an uncommon but severe form of Taenia solium infection. There is limited evidence to guide clinical management of these patients. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective chart review of 15 U.S. sites. A total of 69 subjects with racemose disease were entered. Results The most common region of exposure was Mexico (67%) followed by Central America (24%). Median age was 43 years (range 15-76) and 71% were male. Common symptoms at the time of index admission were headache (80%), nausea/vomiting (46%), dizziness (44%), and blurry vision (33%). Cysts were intracranial in 64 (93%) subjects and exclusively intraspinal in 4. One patient had meningitis without visible cystic lesions. Incident admission magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated ventriculomegaly in 41 (59%) and focal findings in 9 (13%) including ischemic infarct, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and/or arterial aneurysm. For 55 (80%), SANCC was first diagnosed during the index admission. Of these, 23 (42%) had prior medical visits and substantial delay in diagnosis (i.e. previously seen with hydrocephalus [27%], stroke [5.5%], and/or meningitis [11%], missed diagnostic radiologic features [4%], or inadequate imaging [5.5%]). Of the 69 subjects, 54% underwent a neurosurgical procedure during index admission (cyst removal n=16, EVD/shunt/ventriculostomy n=24). At the time of discharge, 6 (8.6%) patients were not given albendazole and/or praziquantel due to cost or availability. Six months following discharge, 4 weeks was associated with increased risk for new cyst development on follow up imaging at a median of 3.8 years following discharge (range 2.6 months-8 years). Those with a delayed diagnosis received a significantly longer duration of corticosteroids (median 8 weeks) than those without a delay (median 5 weeks, p=0.047). Conclusion The diagnosis of SANCC is often missed, and most patients require neurosurgical intervention. Antiparasitic therapy is suboptimal, especially with regimens developed for parenchymal NCC. Disclosures Jeffrey D. Jenks, MD, MPH, Astellas: Grant/Research Support|F2G: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Suppor