ALBENDAZOLE IN SINGLE CT RING LESIONS IN EPILEPSY

Single, small, enhancing lesions that often resolve spontaneously are frequent findings on CTs of Indian patients with seizures. Based on EL ISA and biopsy data, the majority of these lesions are probably cystic ercosis. To determine if these patients should be treated with albenda -zole, we performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled stu dy involving 75 patients with seizures and the appropriate CT abnormal ity without neurologic abnormality on examination. Patients were rando mized to albendazole (15 mg/kg/d) and placebo for 1 week, and we obtai ned serial CTs at the end of 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. All patien ts completed a 3-month follow-up and none had systemic evidence of tub erculosis or cysticercosis. The lesions varied in size from 3 mm to 2. 1 cm, with an average size of 1.18 cm. Serum ELISA for cysticercosis w as positive in 30 and CSF ELISA was positive in 20 of 45 patients. For ty patients received albendazole and 35 received placebo. At the end o f 3 months, a total of 68 patients showed resolution. Thirty-five of 4 0 patients who received albendazole showed resolution, as opposed to 3 3 of 35 patients on placebo. We conclude that albendazole therapy was not beneficial.