Cerbral Cysticercosis : Clinical Manifestation and The Result of Treatment with Praziquantel within 2 years

Abstract

Twelve cases of cerebral cysticercosis who were admitted in Department of Internal Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital during September 1986 to April 1988 were reviewed.  Age incidence was ranged from 16 years to 70 years, male to female ratio was 2:1.  All of them were presented with epilepsy.  Duration from the first attack of epilepsy prior to the admission was ranged from 1 day to 5 years.  Neurological examination were entirely normal in almost of them.  Soft tissue calcification were positive in 2 cases.  Abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid were mild pleocytosis and mild elevation of protein.  Computed tomography of brain showed focal low density area with increased enhancement in 11 cases and multiple cystic lesions in 1 case.  All were treated with praziquantel 2,400 mg./day for 15 days and other supportive treatments.  Result of computed tomography of the brain at the last day of treatment devided into three patterns; (1) the lesions were disappeared completely, (2) markedly improved and (3) similar to the previous treatment.  However, the latter were returned to normal within 3 months later.  The complications during treatment were mild headache (3 cases), hyperthermia (2 cases) and generalized maculo-papular rash (1 case).  On follow up, without any anticonvulsant drugs, all of them had no epileptic attack.