Ultrasound changes in abdominal echinococcosis treated with albendazole.
Fifty patients with 81 abdominal hydatid cysts were followed with ultrasound during and after treatment with albendazole. In 61 cysts (75%), regressive changes were observed after treatment. Detachment of the membrane and change to a solid pattern in anechoic cysts were observed. Disappearance of septa or change to a solid pattern in anechoic cysts with intracystic septation were also found. There was an increase of hyperechoic structures in cysts with a mixed pattern. Follow-up ultrasound examination showed disappearance of 7 cysts, while anechoic structures reappeared in five cases. In anechoic cysts, regressive changes due to albendazole seem to be permanent, but in cysts with a mixed pattern recurrences are sometimes observed.
Sciarrino
E
E
Divisione di Medicina Interna, Ospedale V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
Virdone
R
R
Lo Iacono
O
O
Fusco
G
G
Ricca
T
T
Cottone
M
M
Maringhini
A
A
Della Monica
A
A
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015766:Albendazole