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[Chronic brain edema in neurocysticercosis]
S Agapejev1, D A Yela, A E Gomes
1Departamento de Neurologia e Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brasil. agapejev@brain.fmb.unesp.br
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|December 16, 1998
Summary
Chronic brain oedema (CBO) in neurocysticercosis (NCC) patients often presents with diffuse swelling and neurological symptoms. Treatment can lead to asymptomatic outcomes, suggesting CBO may be an antigenic manifestation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a significant cause of acquired epilepsy and neurological disorders globally.
- Chronic brain oedema (CBO) is a less commonly described manifestation of NCC, potentially linked to inflammatory or antigenic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of patients with neurocysticercosis presenting with chronic brain oedema.
- To investigate the potential role of CBO as an antigenic manifestation in NCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 34 patients with neurocysticercosis and diffuse brain oedema on CT scans.
- Clinical data collection included symptoms, neurological examination, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure.
- Patients were treated with dextrochlorpheniramine and albendazole.
Main Results:
- Predominance of females (73.5%) aged 11-40 years (92.3%).
- Common symptoms included headache (94.1%), nausea/vomiting (47.1%), epilepsy (41.1%), and psychiatric disorders (38.2%).
- CT scans revealed oedema associated with calcifications in 61.8% of cases. CSF pressure decreased significantly post-treatment (p < 0.05).
- 79.4% of patients were asymptomatic at the last visit, with over half off medication.
Conclusions:
- Chronic brain oedema can be an antigenic manifestation of neurocysticercosis, even without active parasitic cysts.
- CBO may represent an additional clinical condition associated with benign intracranial hypertension in NCC.
- Treatment can lead to significant improvement and resolution of symptoms.
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