Should The Patients With Numerous Cysticercii Be Treated With Corticosteroids Only

Abstract

We report our experience of managing 6 patients with numerous cerebral cysticerci. Their age ranged between 5 and 45 years and 3 of them were females. All of them presented with clinical symptoms and signs of raised intracranial tension with partial seizure n 3 and behavioural abnormality in one patient. The diagnosis of cysticercosis was based on characteristic CT or MRI findings or both in all six, biopsy of subcutaneous nodule in two and igG ELISA for cysticercosis in one patient. Of the two patients who received albendazole therapy one died and other deteriorated. Four were managed with only antioedema measures including corticosteroids, of which one recovered completely and 3 partially. One of the patients on chronic corticosteroid therapy died because of staphylococcal septicemia. Cysticidal therapy in patients with numerous cerebral cysticercii may be dangerous. It is suggested that albendazole therapy may be avoided in patients with numerous cerebral cysticercii and these patients should preferably be treated with antioedema measures and antiepileptic drugs and corticosteroids