Lesionectomy for cerebral sparganosis and concomitant epilepsy: A case series of 15 patients

Abstract Objective To report the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with cerebral sparganosis and concomitant epilepsy. Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical data of all patients with cerebral sparganosis and concomitant epilepsy who underwent lesionectomy as treatment at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2015 and August 2019. Seizure outcomes were evaluated according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification. ILAE classes 1 and 2 were defined as favorable seizure outcomes, whereas ILAE classes 3–6 were defined as unfavorable seizure outcomes. Results Fifteen patients with cerebral sparganosis and concomitant epilepsy who underwent lesionectomy as treatment met the inclusion criteria. Live worms were surgical removed in 80 % of patients. With a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 1.1 years, 66.7 % of patients demonstrated favorable seizure outcomes, with improvement of symptoms other than seizures. Longer seizure duration associated with unfavorable seizure outcomes. Conclusions Lesionectomy is an effective treatment for patients with cerebral sparganosis and concomitant epilepsy. Early surgical treatment may offer more benefits to such patients.