Inoperable cerebral alveolar echinococcosis controlled with high dosages of albendazole adjusted with monitoring of blood levels

Abstract

Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare and difficult-to-treat zoonosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. A 29-year-old immigrant from Siberia with a past history of hepatic AE, presented with acute onset of grand mal seizures, weakness of the left leg, and cephalgia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed inoperable right-sided infiltrative lesions, suggesting cerebral AE. Despite anthelmintic treatment only slow improvement occurred. © 2012 International Society of Travel Medicine.