Table 1

Comparison of selected demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters in patients who were initiated on phenytoin sodium treatment for seizures due to an underlying SCG and those with conditions other than SCG

ParameterSCG n = 63Others n = 54P
SEM, standard error of mean; SD, standard deviation; 95% CI, 95% confidence intervals; SCG, solitary cysticercus granuloma; NS, not significant
Age
    Mean (SEM) (SD)23 (2) (14)28 (2) (17)0.03
    95% CI19–2523–32
Sex
    Males4944NS
    Females1410
Duration of seizures (in months)
    Mean (SEM) (SD)7 (2) (14)19 (5) (38)0.02
    95% CI0–219–29
Prior allergies157NS
    Asthma42NS
    Drug rash137NS
    Helminthiasis11NS
Initial phenytoin treatment
    Intravenous loading1211NS
    Oral loading4735
    Oral maintenance48
Baseline hematological parameters
    Total leukocyte count (/mm3)
        Mean (SEM) (SD)6601 (266) (2106)6870 (294) (2157)NS
        Range3900–151303800–12900
    Absolute eosinophil count (/mm3)
        Mean (SEM) (SD)340 (47) (372)180 (29) (216)0.019
        Range20–20200–1010
Hematological parameters at 3 weeks
    Total leucocyte count (/mm3)
        Mean (SEM) (SD)5303 (349) (2762)5471 (3520) (2586)NS
        Range4500–116004400–12900
    Absolute eosinophil count (/mm3)
        Mean (SEM) (SD)300 (37) (293)164 (36) (264)0.024
        Range20–17000–1400