Brain alveococcosis. Therapeutic experience in 14 cases.

Brain alveococcosis is a rare but threatening disease. In most cases, it metastasized to the brain with late liver or lung alveococcosis. In 14 cases, 8 were secondary, and 6 primary. Nine were treated operatively, 2 medically and 3 proved by autopsy. Eleven cases were monomassive, 2 were multifocal and 1 was extra-cerebral in the cranial base. According to our experiences, extirpation is a radical method, and can improve the cerebral function confirmed by BEAM. Long-period use of albendazole showed calcified lesions of CT and disappearance of clinical symptoms.