Albendazole therapy of hydatid disease: 2-year follow-up of 40 cases.
Forty patients with 63 Echinococcus granulosus cysts affecting different sites were treated with albendazole and have been followed up for at least 24 months from completion of therapy. Twenty-one patients (53%) with 37 cysts (59%) showed evidence of healing. The criteria and pattern of healing are outlined. The most serious complication of albendazole therapy was hepatoxic jaundice, which occurred in 5% of patients. Recurrence during the observation period was encountered in 9.5% of patients with a positive response. It is suggested that patients suffering from uncomplicated hydatid disease should be given the benefit of a trial course of albendazole therapy, before surgery is undertaken.
el-Mufti
M
M
Department of Surgery, University Teaching Hospital, Hawari, Benghazi, Libya.
Kamag
A
A
Ibrahim
H
H
Taktuk
S
S
Swaisi
I
I
Zaidan
A
A
Sameen
A
A
Shimbish
F
F
Bouzghaiba
W
W
Haasi
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015766:Albendazole