Neurocysticercosis-Surgical and Medical Management with Praziquantel

ABSTRACT

The eight patients of neurocysticercosis have been diagnosed from 1985 to 1987 in the department of neurosurgery at The Baptist Hospital. Six patients had parenchymal cysts, one had a racemose cyst and the other one had a mixed cyst. The blood serum and CSF ELISA on six patients had a positive reaction for cysticercosis but the follow-up ELISA titers were variable three months later on these four. The racemose and mixed cysts were removed surgically due to mass effect and followed by praziquantel therapy. The parenchymal cysts were treated with praziquantel only. Praziquantel was given daily at 50mg/kg of body weight for two weeks or 30mg/kg of body weight for three weeks. The common side effects of praziquantel were headache, dizziness, nausea, seizure and focal neurological deficits. These side effects could be prevented or minimized by corticosteroid. The result of praziquantel therapy was excellent in all the patients except the mixed cyst.