Albendazole treatment of recurrent hydatid disease: serial evaluation with ultrasound

Four patients with complex abdominal hydatid cysts, one of whom also had pulmonary and pelvic involvement, were treated with up to six 28-day courses of albendazole 400 mg per oral twice daily. As part of a prospective study, serial ultrasound scanning was performed after each 28-day course of albendazole and showed evidence of remission of disease in all four patients. Transient minor abnormalities of liver function were noted during treatment. Ultrasound scanning showed the disappearance of daughter cysts and cystic septation, increase in echogenicity and marked reduction in cyst size. Consolidation of these changes and, in some cases, disappearance of the cysts, were noted with continued therapy. Albendazole seems to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of recurrent hydatid disease, exerting most of its cysticidal activity within the first 2-3 months of therapy.