Cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis treated with albendazole.
BACKGROUND
Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system in the world, but cysticercosis cutis has been reported much less frequently. Because 54% of patients present with subcutaneous nodules, we report here the association of cysticercosis cutis in a patient with neurocysticercosis and review the literature and treatment options.


METHODS
The patient presented with multiple, asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules over the trunk and the extremities, associated with central nervous system involvement. Examination of an excised nodule by light microscopy revealed a larval cyst in the deep dermis surrounded partly by a fibrous pseudocapsule. Computed tomographic scanning af the skull showed multiple, nonenhancing, and calcified cycts in both cerebral hemispheres. Treatment with albendazole, 15 mg/kg/day for 30 days, was highly effective. At follow-up 6 months later, most subcutaneous nodules had disappeared or were markedly reduced in size, and the cerebral lesions had much improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Albendazole, a newer paracidal drug, seems to be more effective and less expensive than some other drugs in use for the treatment of neurocysticercosis.
Schmidt
D K
DK
Department of Dermatology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
Jordaan
H F
HF
Schneider
J W
JW
Cilliers
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000473:pathology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D015766:Albendazole