Short course of prednisolone in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma: a double blind placebo controlled study

J Infect. 2006 Jul;53(1):65-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.09.002. Epub 2005 Nov 2.

Abstract

The study was conducted to confirm the role of a short course of oral corticosteroids in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma with seizures by a double-blind placebo-controlled study. In an open-label trial we, in past, had demonstrated a beneficial role of prednisolone. A short course of prednisolone helped in early resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma. In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study, 60 patients with new-onset seizures and a single enhancing computed tomography (CT)-detected lesion of cysticercosis were randomly divided in two groups to receive either anti-epileptic monotherapy with prednisolone (n=30) or anti-epileptic monotherapy along with placebo (n=30). The patients received prednisolone, 1mg/kg/day for 10 days, followed by tapering over next 4 days. None of the patients received albendazole therapy. The patients were followed up monthly, at least for 9 months. A repeat CT scan was performed after 6 months. The data were analysed by chi-square test. The majority of patients were young. Simple partial seizure, with or without secondary generalization, was the commonest seizure type encountered. Follow-up CT scans at 6 months demonstrated non-significantly better response for prednisolone treated patients. In prednisolone group the lesion disappeared in 52% of patients and in 48% patients who received placebo. However, a significantly lesser number of prednisolone treated patients (n=12%) than controls (n=48%), had seizure recurrence. Our study suggests that short-term prednisolone therapy may not help in rapid resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma, however, prednisolone therapy improves seizure-related prognosis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Cysticercosis / complications
  • Cysticercosis / drug therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / complications
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone