title: Renal hydatid cyst: medical treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydatid disease is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It has a worldwide distribution, being endemic in Portugal. Hydatid disease of the urinary tract is rare, occurring in less than 2% of all cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  14-year-old male with hydatid disease of the kidney. The diagnosis was established by imaging studies and specific serologic testing. Treatment consisted of four 4-week cycles of albendazol and resulted in a progressive reduction of the cyst as well as in a negative specific serology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though the recommended treatment is surgical excision, studies have demonstrated that medical treatment may be an alternative allowing for organ preservation.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Garcia de Orta, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Teresa Trindade
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Hospital Garcia de Orta, Portugal.
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Couto
authors.affiliation: Hospital Garcia de Orta, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.affiliation: Hospital Garcia de Orta, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: Hospital Garcia de Orta, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vieira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000469:parasitology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015766:Albendazole