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Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst Rupture Associated With Albendazole Commencement: Case Report and Literature Review.
Thomas Ledger1, Abiny Vignarajan1, Ross Harvey1
1Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Hydatid disease can present with hepatic and pulmonary cysts. Albendazole treatment for pulmonary hydatid cysts may lead to cyst rupture, a rare but serious complication.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, typically affects the liver and lungs.
- Serology for Echinococcus granulosus can be negative in early stages.
- Albendazole is a common treatment for hydatid disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture during albendazole therapy.
- To review the literature on pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture during albendazole treatment.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 54-year-old female with hepatic and pulmonary cysts.
- Surgical resection of hepatic cyst and perioperative albendazole treatment.
- Literature review of PubMed and Embase databases for relevant cases.
Main Results:
- The patient developed pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture three weeks after starting albendazole.
- Seroconversion for Echinococcus granulosus occurred post-rupture.
- Literature review identified 9 cases of pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture during albendazole therapy, with 8 occurring within 3 weeks of treatment initiation.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture is a rare complication of albendazole therapy.
- Rupture appears to occur early in the treatment course, possibly due to decreased cyst pressure.
- Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication in patients treated with albendazole for hydatid disease.
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