[Cysticercosis of the cerebellopontine angle: treatment with single-dose praziquantel].

BACKGROUND

Praziquantel has not been considered useful for therapy of subarachnoid cysticercosis. However, recent studies suggest that the introduction of a new regimen of praziquantel therapy, that includes the administration of higher doses of the drug at shorter intervals, may improve pharmacokinetic properties of praziquantel and increase its efficacy in this form of the disease.

METHODS

A 28 year-old woman presented with a six month history of headache, vomiting, nystagmus, right peripheral facial palsy, and left hemiparesis. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head revealed a large cysticercus in the right cerebellopontine angle cistern compressing the brain-stem. She was treated with praziquantel 100 mg/kg in three divided doses at two hours apart. Thereafter, she received three 8 mg doses of intravenous dexamethasone given 6, 24 and 48 hours after the last dose of praziquantel. She improved after therapy, with total resolution of hemiparesis. Control CT showed progressive reduction and size and further disappearance of the cystic lesions three months later.

CONCLUSIONS

This single-dose regimen of praziquantel seems to be effective for therapy of subarachnoid cysticercosis. Further studies with a large number of patients are needed to confirm the efficacy of the drug in this form of the disease.