Pulmonary Hydatid : Diagnosis and Response to Hypertonic Saline Irrigation and Albendazole

Pulmonary hydatid is caused by larval stage of parasite Echinococcus granulosus. Although surgery still remains the definitive therapy, various workers have tried albendazole and sterilization of cysts with varying result.

32 patients(21 males, 11 females) of pulmonary hydatid disease with average age 32.5 years(21-51 years) treated by us between Jan 97 to Apr 2001 were analysed. Diagnosis was established clinically, radiologically and by serological testing. 16 patients who had simple cyst were treated with 20 ml percutaneous hypertonic(20%) saline irrigation of the cyst along with albendazole (400 mg twice a day, 6 cycles of 4 weeks with 2 weeks drug free period between the cycles). 13 patients of complicated cysts were treated with 6 cycles of albendazole. All cases were followed up for one year. 16 patients including three fresh cases were subjected to surgical resection.

Pleural involvement was noted in 10 patients. On chest radiography 19 patients had homogenous oval or circular cysts, 6 patients had crescent sign and 10 had water lily sign. After percutaneous hypertonic saline irrigation all patients showed initial regression in size and developed complicated cysts with water lily sign but subsequently there was no regression. Of 13 patients treated with albendazole, 3 patients showed complete resolution and 2 patients showed regression of cyst. All these 5 patients had shown regression during first cycle of albendazole. 16 patients were subjected to surgery (6 after saline irrigation, 7 after albendazole course and 3 fresh cases). No difference was noted in these groups on histopathological examination.

From this study it was evident that those patients who demonstrate regression in size during first cycle of albendazole are likely to benefit and improve with further cycles of it. Those who do not respond should be subjected to surgery. Result of percutaneous hypertonicsaline irrigation as scolicidal was not encouraging.