Abstract | STUDY DESIGN: A report of a patient with cervical intramedullary cysticercosis is presented. OBJECTIVES: SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: METHODS: The treatment of a patient who suffered multiple cysticercal reinfestations of the nervous system is presented. RESULTS: The patient received prolonged treatment with albendazole because of superimposed cerebral reinfestations. During this treatment, she suffered acute paraparesis, and cervical magnetic resonance imaging showed cyst-like lesions with linear gadolinium enhancement and perilesional edema, indicative of dying cysticerci and inflammatory host reaction. Dexamethasone was added, and progressive neurologic improvement followed with complete resolution of intramedullary lesions. CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative diagnostic suspicion of cysticercosis is important in patients with intramedullary cystic lesions because specific drug treatment is available. Treatment with anthelmintics, particularly albendazole, should be considered in patients with intramedullary cysticercosis before surgery. Corticosteroids may be added to the therapeutic regimen because this may reduce the perilesional edema and prevent neurologic deterioration during the course of anthelmintic treatment.
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Authors | I Corral, C Quereda, A Moreno, R López-Vélez, J Martínez-San-Millán, A Guerrero, J Sotelo |
Journal | Spine
(Spine (Phila Pa 1976))
Vol. 21
Issue 19
Pg. 2284-7
(Oct 01 1996)
ISSN: 0362-2436 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8902977
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anthelmintics
- Dexamethasone
- Albendazole
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Topics |
- Adult
- Albendazole
(therapeutic use)
- Anthelmintics
(therapeutic use)
- Cysticercosis
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Dexamethasone
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Spinal Cord Diseases
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
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