Abstract
The standard therapy of hydatid cyst is surgery but, in nonoperable patients and multiple organ involvement, medical therapy may be more useful. The efficacy of drugs especially in short-term treatment of hydatid cyst is unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of combination therapy with albendazole and praziquantel in the treatment of hydatid diseases. In a nonrandomized quasi-experimental study, nine patients with multiple hydatid cysts were treated with albendazole (400 mg/twice a day) and praziquantel (40 mg/kg per day) twice a week for 4 weeks. This regimen was repeated for three courses with a 2-week interval between each one. The average follow-up period after treatment was 18 months. Response to treatment was assessed through the observation of the symptoms and radiologic findings (computed axial tomography scan, sonography, X-ray). Symptoms disappeared in seven (77.8%) patients and improved partially in two (22.2%) patients. Radiological assessment showed significant improvement in five (55.6%) and partial improvement in four (44.4%) patients. Combination therapy with albendazole and praziquantel is effective in the treatment of hydatid cyst and can be used as an alternative to surgery in disseminated and nonoperable cases.
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The author would like to thank Farzan Institute for Research and Technology for technical assistance.
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Jamshidi, M., Mohraz, M., Zangeneh, M. et al. The effect of combination therapy with albendazole and praziquantel on hydatid cyst treatment. Parasitol Res 103, 195–199 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0954-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0954-z