Enhanced steroid dosing reduces seizures during antiparasitic treatment for cysticercosis and early after.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major cause of seizures and epilepsy in endemic countries. Antiparasitic treatment of brain cysts leads to seizures due to the host's inflammatory reaction, requiring concomitant steroids. We hypothesized that increased steroid dosing will reduce treatment-associated seizures.

Methods

Open-label randomized trial comparing 6 mg/day dexamethasone for 10 days (conventional) with 8 mg/day for 28 days followed by a 2-week taper (enhanced) in patients with NCC receiving albendazole. Follow-up included active seizure surveillance and brain imaging. Study outcomes were seizure days and patients with seizures, both measured in days 11-42. Additional analyses compared days 1-10, 11-21, 22-32, 33-42, 43-60, and 61-180.

Results

Thirty-two i

SUBMITTER: Garcia HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4167469 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature