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Cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis treated with albendazole
D K Schmidt1, H F Jordaan, J W Schneider
1Department of Dermatology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
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.
Case Report:
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.