Comparison of 1 week versus 4 weeks of albendazole therapy in single small enhancing computed tomography lesion.

BACKGROUND

The appropriate duration of albendazole therapy in neurocysticercosis is uncertain. The observation in small uncontrolled randomized trials in children that short-course therapy (1 week) is as effective as the conventional regimen (4weeks) must be tested.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of 1 and 4 weeks of albendazole therapy in children with single small enhancing computed tomographic lesion (SSECTL).

STUDY DESIGN

An open-labeled, randomized, clinical trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty children with SSECTLs presenting with seizure.

INTERVENTION

The subjects were assigned to two groups using random tables: group A (n=58) received albendazole for 1 week and group B (n=62) for 4 weeks. All the subjects were followed up for 6 months.

RESULTS

The proportions of subjects with complete resolution of lesion in the two groups were similar (group A 63.8% versus group B 51.6%). The proportion of subjects in the two groups in whom the lesion calcified on follow up (group A 19% versus group B 24.2%) also did not differ significantly. The incidence of seizure recurrence during the 6-month follow-up period was also similar in both the groups (group A 9.6% versus group B 3.4%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

One week of albendazole therapy is as effective as 4 weeks of therapy in children with SSECTLs.