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


METHODS
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.
Kalra
Veena
V
Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. vkalra@medinst.ernet.in
Dua
Tarun
T
Kumar
Virender
V
D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015766:Albendazole