Efficacy of albendazole and short-course dexamethasone treatment in children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions of neurocysticercosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy of albendazole plus dexamethasone in children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions (by computed tomography scan) on resolution of lesions and recurrence of seizure.

STUDY DESIGN:

Randomized controlled open trial.

METHODS:

Children of either sex, 1 to 14 years of age, with seizures and 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions <20 mm in diameter on computed tomography scan, likely to have neurocysticercosis, were assigned to treatment l groups. Children assigned to the treatment group (n=61) were given 0.15 mg/kg per day dexamethasone for 5 days plus 15 mg/kg per day albendazole for 28 days, starting on the third day of dexamethasone. Control group (n=62) children were given neither dexamethasone or albendazole. Anti-epileptic therapy was given to both the study groups.

RESULTS:

The lesions resolved completely or partially in more children in the treated group compared with the control group (79% versus 57%; P=.02). The proportion of children who had seizures was significantly lower in the treated group compared with the control group at 3 months (10% versus 32%; P=.006) and 6 months (13% versus 33%; P=.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Albendazole plus dexamethasone increased complete or partial resolution of lesions and reduced the risk of subsequent recurrence of seizures among children with neurocysticercosis who had with seizures and 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions on computed tomography.

• Authors: Veena Kalra, Tarun Dua, Virender Kumar
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 143 Issue 1 Pg. 111-4 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12915835 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anthelmintics
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Anticonvulsants
• Phenytoin
• Dexamethasone
• Albendazole

Topics

• Adolescent
• Albendazole (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anthelmintics (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, parasitology)
• Brain Edema (diagnostic imaging, parasitology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Neurocysticercosis (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, parasitology)
• Phenytoin (therapeutic use)
• Recurrence
• Seizures (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed