Extraocular muscle cysticercosis: clinical presentations and outcome of treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To report various clinical presentations and treatment outcomes in a series of patients with extraocular muscle cysticercosis.


METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed the charts of 43 patients diagnosed with extraocular muscle cysticercosis with computed tomography and orbital B-scan ultrasonography between January 1991 and December 2002. Clinical presentation, results of investigations, treatment, and outcome were recorded.


RESULTS
The superior rectus was the most commonly affected extraocular muscle. Restricted ocular motility was present in 88% of patients, and inflammatory signs were noted in the involved quadrant in 70% of patients. Eleven patients were treated with oral albendazole alone and 31 patients were treated with oral albendazole and prednisolone. Four extraocular muscle cysts were excised surgically, and five extruded spontaneously. Inflammatory signs subsided in all patients, and residual restriction of ocular motility was seen in 16 (50%) of 32 patients at a mean follow-up of 5 months. Type of treatment made no significant difference in the ocular motility outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Extraocular muscle cysticercosis should be considered in patients who present with restricted ocular motility and inflammatory signs. The direction of motility restriction does not indicate the muscle involved. Residual restriction of ocular motility is common despite the addition of corticosteroids to albendazole therapy.
Mohan
Kanwar
K
Squint Clinic, Grewal Eye Institute, Chandigarh, India.
Saroha
Vandana
V
Sharma
Ashok
A
Pandav
SurInder
S
Singh
Usha
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000469:parasitology*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D015766:Albendazole