Clinical, sociodemographic, radiological profile and response to albendazole therapy in children with neurocysticercosis in Uttarakhand

Abstract

Background: Overall neurocysticercosis (NCC) is identified as a major cause of active epilepsy in the developing world. Most of the studies focus on adults with limited studies in children. A pilot study from Garhwal region of Uttarakhand had reported a high incidence. Conflicting reports regarding the clinical presentation and response of cysticidal drugs have created a controversy regarding disease and outcome. This prospective observational study in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand aims to study clinical features, sociodemographic profile, radiological findings and response to 28 days albendazole therapy in children with NCC. Materials and Methods: Seventy nine patients with various neurological complaints, were diagnosed to have NCC on basis of computed tomography scan head. Other differential diagnoses were excluded by chest X-ray, Mantoux, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and magnetic resonance imaging where needed. The clinical, sociodemographic profile was recorded, and radiological and clinical response at 3 months after 28 days albendazole therapy was observed. Results: Seizures (93.9%) followed by vomiting (62%) and headache (30.4%) were the chief complaints. Complex partial seizures (70.3%) and generalized (17.6%) were the main seizure type. Most NCC were single (72.2%) out of which 26.3% disappeared on follow-up, 17.7% were multiple out of which 7% resolved and eight were calcified of which all persisted. Electroencephalography was abnormal in 62% patients. Conclusion: NCC in children is a relatively benign disease in Kumaon region with significant morbidity in the form of epilepsy with no mortality. Better prognosis was seen in single NCC in comparison to multiple or calcified lesions, but response to albendazole therapy was much less than in previous studies.

Keywords

• Albendazole therapy
• clinic-sociodemographic profile
• neurocysticercosis