Three day albendazole therapy in patients with a solitary cysticercus granuloma: a randomized double blind placebo controlled study

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 May;41(3):517-25.

Abstract

A solitary cysticercus granuloma is a benign form of neurocysticercosis. Several reports have suggested albendazole is effective in early resolution of these lesions. A short duration (7 days) albendazole therapy has been found to be effective in treatment. In this study, we evaluated a "three day course" of albendazole in a prospective randomized double- blind trial. Sixty-seven consecutive patients who presented with new-onset seizures and a solitary cysticercus granuloma were randomly allocated to receive either albendazole (15 mg/kg/day for 3 days) or placebo. All patients were treated with antiepileptic drugs. Patients were followed up for 6 months. A repeat CT of the brain was obtained at the end of 6 months of follow-up. The end points were complete resolution of the lesion on CT scan and total seizure control at 6 months follow-up. In the albendazole group complete resolution of lesions was noted in 28 of 33 patients (84.8%), while in the control group only 14 of 34 patients (41.2%) had complete resolution of the lesion (p = 0.001). Partial resolution of lesion was seen in 2 patients (6%) in the albendazole group and 4 patients (11.8%) in the control group (p = 0.06). The lesion remained unchanged in 9 cases (26.5%) in the control group only. The lesion became calcified in 7 (20.6%) and 3 (9.1%) patients in the control and albendazole groups, respectively (p = 0.187). Seizure recurrence occurred in 3 patients (9.1%) in the albendazole and 1 patient (2.9%) in the control group (p = 0.239). The three days course of albendazole was effective in resolving lesions, but there was no significant difference in seizure recurrence rates between the two treatment groups.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage*
  • Albendazole / adverse effects
  • Anticestodal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anticestodal Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Granuloma / complications
  • Granuloma / diagnostic imaging
  • Granuloma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurocysticercosis / drug therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticestodal Agents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Albendazole