title: Role of albendazole in the management of hydatid cyst liver.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hydatidosis has a worldwide distribution and the liver is the most common organ involved. Hydatid cysts of the liver can be managed either by nonoperative or operative methods. Nonoperative methods include chemotherapy and percutaneous treatment. The study aimed at understanding the effect of albendazole therapy on the viability of protoscoleces and recurrence rate of hydatid disease of the liver.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, India, over a period of 2 years from January 2002 to December 2003, with further follow-up of 5 years. The study included 72 cases in the age group of 17-66 years, comprising 39 males and 33 females. The patients were randomized into two groups of 36 patients each. In group A, patients were directly subjected to surgery, while in group B, patients were administered albendazole for 12 weeks preoperatively, followed by a further postoperative course for 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of patients who received albendazole therapy, no patient had viable cysts at the time of surgery, as compared to 94.45% of the patients who did not receive any preoperative albendazole (P<0.01). In patients who did not receive any albendazole therapy, recurrence rate was 16.66%, while no recurrence was seen in patients who received albendazole therapy (P≤0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that albendazole is an effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hydatid liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, Bemina, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. shamsulbari@rediff.com
authors.forename: Sajad Hussain
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.forename: Ajaz A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Abdul Rouf
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khaja
authors.forename: Tufale A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dass
authors.forename: Zahoor A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Naikoo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole