Cerebral Cysticercosis Treated Biphasically with Dexamethasone and Praziquantel

  1. LAWRENCE D. deGHETALDI, M.D.;
  2. ROBERT M. NORMAN, M.D.; and
  3. ARTHUR W. DOUVILLE, Jr., M.D.
  1. San Jose and Stanford, California

    Abstract

    A patient with cerebral cysticercosis had marked clinical and radiographic response to the administration of corticosteroids and praziquantel. Treatment with corticosteroids was effective in reducing clinical symptoms and reactive cerebral edema. Praziquantel, an anticestodal agent, seems to be a safe and effective therapy for this infection. By 4 months after praziquantel therapy, all of the patient's intracranial lesions had disappeared. Computed tomography is essential in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients treated with this drug.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford; and the San Jose Hospital and Health Center, San Jose, California.

    • Grant support: in part by grant 5D15PE19051-06, U. S. Public Health Service.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Lawrence D. deGhetaldi, M.D.; 25 N. 14th Street, Suite 1020; San Jose, CA 95112.

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    1. Ann Intern Med August 1, 1983 vol. 99 no. 2 179-181
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