Issues in clinical parasitology: the management of hydatid cyst

Echinococcal or hydatid cyst is not commonly seen in the United States; however, two cases were seen within a 6-month period at a southern teaching hospital, and it is endemic in many areas of the world. The causative organism, Echinococcus granulosus, is a tapeworm of dogs; the normal intermediate hosts are hoofed animals. When man becomes infected enlarging cysts in the liver, lung, nervous system, or peritoneum may cause considerable morbidity. While surgery traditionally has been the treatment of choice, in the past few years the usage of high doses of mebendazole has been suggested as a possible alternative. This review describes two cases and the recent literature regarding the use of mebendazole as therapy for hydatid disease.