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Book Review Indian Pediatrics 2000;37: 921 |
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Solitary Cysticercus Granuloma: The Disappearing Lesion |
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This is a small book dealing with single small enhancing CT lesiosn (SSECTLs) in the brain which are so commonly associated with seizures. This controversy ridden topic which is a burning issue in present day medicine in Indian subcontinent, has been discussed at length by the authors primarily based on their pioneering work on SSECTLs in Vellore. Although dilemma continues as to what these lesions are, due mainly to diagnostic difficulties, the authors have succeeded in emphasizing, armed with their biopsy observations, that majority of these lesions are nothing but cysticercus granulomas. The chapters in the book include epidemiolgy, clinical features, CT and EEG findings, medical management with controversies on albendazole therapy, surgical treatment and outcome of these cases mostly based on their own data with appropriate reinforcements from other sources. The authors have made commendable efforts to bring about evidence based clarity in each of these areas. The controversial areas have been well dealt in an unbiased manner. The pathology of these granulomas, clinical correlations of the CT findings and their clinical features have been extensively discussed. The attempt of the authors to formulate diagnostic criteria for cysticercus granuloma out of these SSECTLs should be well received by the physicians in general. It would have been more interesting however, if the authors had presented in more details the clinical features, CT findings, treatment and outcome of the cases where biopsies revealed cysticercosis, as a separate group. The age break up of these biopsied cases should have been in closer groups instead of one big range of 2-47 years; it would have been interesting to know how many of these cases were in the pediatric age group. It is however sad to find that the hard work of the authors has been flawed by many missing pages and unnecessary duplication of several pages.Unfortunately most of the Indian authors are victims of such publishing errors. The treatise should be of interest/use to clinicians and other members of the medical fraternity dealing with SSECTLs in brain. One would find in it a good review of Indian literature on the topic. On the whole the book will serve as an excellent source of compre-hensive and upto date knowledge of SSECTLs/solitary intracranial cystcercus granulomas in India. B. Talukdar, |
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