Percutaneous evacuation (PEVAC) of multivesicular echinococcal cysts with or without cystobiliary fistulas which contain non-drainable material: first results of a modified PAIR method

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the treatment of choice in echinococcal cysts with cystobiliary fistulas. PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration of scolecidals) is contraindicated in these cases. AIM: To evaluate a modified PAIR method for percutaneous treatment of multivesicular echinococcal cysts with or without cystobiliary fistulas which contain non-drainable material. PATIENTS: Twelve patients were treated: 10 patients with multivesicular cysts which contained non-drainable material and were complicated by spontaneous intrabiliary rupture, secondary cystobiliary fistulas, cyst infection, or obstructed portal or hepatic veins; and two patients with large univesicular cysts and a ruptured laminated membrane, one obstructing the portal and hepatic veins and one a suspected cystobiliary fistula. METHODS: The methods used, termed PEVAC (percutaneous evacuation of cyst content), involved the following steps: ultrasound guided cyst puncture and aspiration of cyst fluid to release intracystic pressure and thereby to avoid leakage; insertion of a large bore catheter; aspiration and evacuation of daughter cysts and endocyst by injection and reaspiration of isotonic saline; cystography; injection of scolecidals only if no cystobiliary fistula was present; external drainage of cystobiliary fistulas combined with endoprosthesis or sphincterotomy; catheter removal after complete cyst collapse and closure of the cystobiliary fistula. RESULTS: In all 12 patients initial cyst size was 13.1 (6-20) cm (mean (range)). At follow up 17.9 (4-30) months after PEVAC, seven cysts had disappeared and five cysts had decreased to 2.4 (1-4) cm (p=0.002). In eight patients with multivesicular cysts, a cystobiliary fistula, and infection, cyst size was 12.5 (6-20) cm, catheter time 72.3 (28-128) days, and hospital stay 38.1 (20-55) days. At 17.3 (4-28) months of follow up, six cysts had disappeared and in two cysts residual size was 1 and 2.9 cm, respectively (p=0.012). In four patients without a cystobiliary fistula, cyst size was 14.4 (12.7-16) cm, catheter time 8.8 (3-13) days, and hospital stay 11.5 (8-14) days. At 19.3 (9-30) months of follow up, one cyst had disappeared and three cysts were 85 (69-94)% smaller (2.2 (1-4) cm) (p=0.068). CONCLUSION: PEVAC is a safe and effective method for percutaneous treatment of multivesicular echinococcal cysts with or without cystobiliary fistulas which contain non-drainable material.     

Albendazole for the treatment of human echinococcosis: a review of comparative clinical trials

BACKGROUND: Albendazole has been used in various ways in the treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE). METHODS: We reviewed the available evidence regarding the role of albendazole for the treatment of patients with CE. The available comparative clinical trials (randomized or not) that examined the use of albendazole in CE were identified from the PubMed and the ISI Web of Science databases. Relevant data from the trials were extracted and evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in the review. Albendazole is superior to placebo for inoperable, symptomatic patients (1 study). In addition, in 4 trials that tested albendazole as a preoperative adjuvant therapy, the drug resulted in degeneration of hydatid cysts at the time of surgery in a considerable proportion of patients. Furthermore, combined therapy with albendazole and PAIR (Puncture, Aspiration, Injection of scolicidal agent, and Re-aspiration) technique was found more effective than albendazole or PAIR treatment alone, in a randomized controlled trial examining this issue. Finally, although existing evidence shows some superiority for albendazole compared to mebendazole, there is no definite proof about this. CONCLUSIONS: Although the available comparative trials provide considerable evidence for the role of albendazole in patients with CE, there are some important clinical questions that remained unanswered by the studies. One of them is whether the combination of albendazole with praziquantel is superior to albendazole alone when both effectiveness and drug toxicity are taken into account. Also, further studies should also compare the combination of albendazole/PAIR with albendazole/surgery focusing on both short and long term outcomes.     

Treatment options for hepatic cystic echinococcosis.

A number of surgical and non-surgical options exist to treat cystic echinococcosis of the liver. For decades, surgical excision via a conservative or radical approach was the recommended approach for hepatic hydatid cysts. The availability of chemotherapeutic agents with significant activity against Echinococcus granulosis has made it possible to undertake ultrasound- or computed tomography-guided transhepatic percutaneous drainage (termed puncture, aspiration, injection, and re-aspiration (PAIR)) of hydatid cysts. Pre- and post-intervention chemotherapy with albendazole or mebendazole offers the advantage of reducing the risk of disease recurrence and intraperitoneal seeding of infection that may develop via cyst rupture and spillage occurring spontaneously or during surgery or needle drainage. PAIR appears to have greater clinical efficacy (i.e. a higher incidence of cure), lower rates of major and minor complications, mortality, and disease recurrence, and fewer days of hospitalization compared to patients treated surgically. For patients who fail drug therapy alone, PAIR is a safe and effective procedure of choice for patients with hepatic echinococcosis, and perhaps other anatomic sites of infection such as lung, peritoneum, kidney, and other viscera. Surgery should be reserved for patients with hydatid cysts refractory to PAIR because of secondary bacterial infection or for those with difficult-to-manage cyst-biliary communication or obstruction.     

不同剂量阿苯达唑和甲苯咪唑对土源性线虫感染疗效的随机对照试验

目的观察单倍、三倍剂量阿苯达唑和甲苯咪唑治疗土源性线虫感染的效果。方法采用随机对照试验,对314位调查对象随机分为阿苯达唑(400mg)、甲苯咪唑(500mg)、三倍阿苯达唑(400mg,3d)、三倍甲苯咪唑(500mg,3d)等4组,对各药物组治疗蛔虫、钩虫、鞭虫和绦虫感染的疗效进行观察,计算治愈率和粪样虫卵下降率。结果阿苯达唑治疗钩虫的疗效优于甲苯咪唑,两药单倍剂量对钩虫的治愈率分别为69.1%和31.0%,三倍剂量组治愈率分别为92.0%和54。0%,虫卵下降率单倍剂量组为97.3%和83.6%,三倍剂量组为99.7%和96.4%。控制鞭虫感染,三倍剂量疗效优于单倍剂量。两驱虫药物单倍或三倍剂量对蛔虫感染疗效显著(治愈率在93.0%～96.8%之间,虫卵下降率均大于99.9%)。三倍剂量对绦虫感染的治愈率为100%,而单倍剂量仅为50%。结论治疗钩虫和鞭虫感染,三倍剂量方案可获得较高的治愈率。     

Efficacy and safety of PAIR for cystic echinococcosis: experience on a large series of patients from Bulgaria

We report our experience with puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in Bulgaria. PAIR was performed in 230 patients with 348 echinococcal cysts. At 12-month follow-up, 77.6% of the cysts, all cystic echinococcosis (CE) 1 and CE3a cysts according to the World Health Organization Informal Working Group classification, showed various degrees of obliteration. In 11.5% of cysts, all of which were > 10 cm-type CE1, a significant amount of fluid persisted, and they were punctured again. Of those, 16 (4.6%) contained protoscolices and were treated by a second PAIR. The remaining 24 (6.9%) cysts were treated by simple aspiration or drainage. No significant reduction in size and no changes in the structure were observed in 10.9% of cysts, all of which were classified as CE2 or CE3b. Complications developed in 25.2% of patients, including severe anaphylactic reaction in two (0.9%) patients. Our experience confirms that PAIR is a successful first-choice treatment when a stage-specific approach is taken.     

Results of alcohol and albendazole injections in hepatic hydatidosis: experimental study

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous drainage with alcohol injection for hydatid cysts has been commonly used in the last two decades. Albendazole is the drug of choice in the medical treatment of hydatidosis, and has also been used as an intraoperative scolicidal solution. The side-effects of its local application are not well known and have not been investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the intracystic injections of alcohol and albendazole solutions on the hydatid cysts and hepatobiliary system of rabbits. METHODS: There were three groups of eight rabbits: a control group, an alcohol group and an albendazole group. In all groups hepatic hydatidosis was obtained. The control group received no therapeutic procedure. Cyst liquid was aspirated, and alcohol or albendazole solutions were injected in the other two study groups. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, echinococcus indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests, and the size and volume of the residual cysts were investigated. Liver was histopathologically evaluated. RESULTS: The ALT, AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly higher in the alcohol group, whereas echinococcus IHA level was highest in the control group than in the study groups. Albendazole had similar effects but of a lesser degree (P < 0.01). After therapy, the cyst volume was greater in the control than in the albendazole group (P < 0.01). In histopathological evaluation hepatocellular necrosis, portal inflammation and fibrosis were most severe in the alcohol group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Alcohol and albendazole solutions are effective as scolicidal solutions. Higher scolicidal effect and lesser side-effects on hepatobiliary system are the advantages of albendazole solution.     

Hydatid cyst of the liver-criteria for the selection of appropriate treatment

The appropriate treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver is determined by several factors, namely the patient, the cyst, the therapeutic resources and the physician. Characteristics of cysts, can be described by ultrasonography (US). Based on US images, we can classify hydatid cysts, according the evolutionary phase of the larval parasite and to choose the most appropriate therapeutic approach. US is also important to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Concerning the therapeutic methods, surgery had long been the only treatment available for the hydatid cyst of the liver. Beginning the 1970s benzimidazoles, Mebendazole and Albendazole, have been used for the treatment of the hydatid disease and in the early 1980s, with the development of diagnostic US, the deliberate puncture of abdominal cysts, particularly those in the liver, was evaluated this lead to puncture/aspiration, followed by injection of a scolicide which became a therapeutic method known as puncture, aspiration, injection and re-aspiration (PAIR). So, according to the cyst's characteristics based on US evaluation we can establish a therapeutic strategy: cysts type 1 and 3 may be treated by chemotherapy. Alternative treatment should be PAIR but only if the cysts cannot be treated with benzimidazoles. If there are contraindications for PAIR and chemotherapy the treatment should be surgical. Type 2 hydatid cysts can be treated by PAIR following initial treatment with benzimidazoles. If PAIR is not feasible or there is no evidence of degenerative changes after chemotherapy, surgery is indicated. Type 4 cysts are usually inactive and, in these cases, treatment is not indicated. If there is evidence that the cysts contents are still viable PAIR may be indicate. If PAIR is not possible, surgery is the method of choice. Cysts type 5 do not require treatment.     

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis:Percutaneous treatment as an outpatient procedure

Objective:To demonstrate utility and safety of the puncture aspiration injection and reospiration(PAIR)technique for outpatients.Methods:Percutaneous treatment with US guidance was applied to 33 patients for 44 cysts.Patients treated with the PAIR technique,were outpatients.PAIR and catheterization technique were evaluated for efficacy and safety of procedure and complication rates.Results:Thirty-five of 44 cysts were treated with the PAIR and 9 of 44 were treated with the catheterization technique.The success rate of the cysts Gharbi type 1(CEI)and type 2(Ct3a)treated with the PAIR technique was 1009.hi the follow up of 9 cysts treated with the catheterization technique,2 of them(22%)developed cyst infection and 1(11%)developed a biliary fistula.Conclusions:The PAIR technique was found to be an effective and safe approach in order to treat Gharbi type 1 and type 2 cysts percutaneously for outpatients.It has a very low complication rate in comparison with the catheterization technique.So every effort should be mode to finish the treatment with PAIR technique.     

两种药物治疗广州管圆线虫病的效果观察

目的　观察阿苯哒唑和甲苯咪唑治疗广州管圆线虫病的效果。　方法　以大白鼠为动物模型 ,用不同剂量和不同疗程的阿苯哒唑和甲苯咪唑进行治疗 ,然后解剖检虫、计数、观察 ,同时对广州管圆线虫病病人进行治疗。　结果　阿苯哒唑和甲苯咪唑总剂量达 12 0 mg/ kg时可杀死鼠体内的虫体 ;总剂量为 6 0 mg/ kg,疗程达 6 d时 ,也可杀灭虫体。但总剂量也为 6 0 mg/ kg而疗程只有 3d或总剂量 <6 0 mg/ kg时 ,部分虫体仍可存活 ,但虫体的发育受到严重影响 ,无法达到性成熟 ,不能产卵。对部分确诊的广州管圆线虫病病人进行治疗也收到很好的效果。　结论　阿苯哒唑和甲苯咪唑两种药物对广州管圆线虫病有显著的疗效。     

A new therapeutic approach for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis: percutaneous albendazole sulphoxide injection without reaspiration

OBJECTIVE: In this experimental study, the effectiveness of intracystic injection of albendazole sulfoxide solution was investigated as a new approach to percutaneous treatment in liver hydatid disease. METHODS: Ten naturally infected sheep were selected and divided into two groups: a treatment group (n = 7), and a control group (n = 3). Intracystic injection of albendazole sulfoxide was performed in the first group, whereas the control group received intracystic distillated water injection instead. No reaspiration was performed in any group. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 6 months, serial sonographic examination revealed a significant decrease in the cyst size, progressive solidification, and complete separation of the germinal and the laminated membranes of hydatid cysts from the pericysts in the treatment group. In the control group, diameters and volumes of cysts were increased. All procedures were done without any complications. During the follow-up-period, liver function tests were normal. After 6 months, all sheep were killed and were examined for macroscopic and microscopic changes. Pathological examination showed pericyst hyalinization, inflammatory cells in the cyst wall, degeneration of laminated and germinal membranes, and necrotic material in the cyst cavity. No viable protoscoleces or daughter cysts were observed. CONCLUSION: Albendazole sulfoxide injection as a scolecidal agent in the percutaneous treatment of cystic echinococcosis seems to be effective in this animal model. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure in human subjects.     

超声引导下两种硬化剂药物治疗单纯性肝囊肿的疗效及并发症观察研究

背景近年来,超声介入技术发展迅速,超声引导下注射硬化剂治疗单纯性肝囊肿具有创伤小、并发症少、操作简便、疗效显著等优点,越来越受到临床重视,并成为单纯性肝囊肿的首选治疗手段.而其临床治疗效果与所使用的硬化剂种类密切相关.目的探讨超声引导下注射不同药物治疗单纯性肝囊肿的效果及其临床应用价值.方法回顾性分析我院收治的126例单纯性肝囊肿患者(共126个单纯性肝囊肿)的临床资料,按硬化剂药物不同分为聚桂醇组(63例,超声引导下注射聚桂醇治疗)和高渗葡萄糖组(63例,超声引导下注射高渗葡萄糖治疗),比较两组术中、术后1 mo的并发症情况以及术后3 mo的临床疗效.结果聚桂醇组治疗总有效率(98.41%)明显高于高渗葡萄糖组(73.02%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);聚桂醇组术后并发症总发生率(7.94%)明显低于高渗葡萄糖组(22.22%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论超声引导下注射硬化剂治疗单纯性肝囊肿疗效确切,而注射聚桂醇的疗效及安全性优于高渗葡萄糖,值得临床推广应用.     

Hydatid cysts in muscle: a modified percutaneous treatment approach.

INTRODUCTION: Any organ in the human body may be affected by hydatid disease, but the liver and the lungs are most commonly affected. A rare localization of hydatid disease is within muscle tissue. Herein we present three patients with muscular hydatid disease who were successfully treated with a modified percutaneous approach. METHODS: Patients with Gharbi type III cysts were treated on an outpatient basis. All procedures were performed under ultrasound guidance in the ultrasonography unit of our department. After local anesthesia, percutaneous puncture was performed in a one-step procedure. After free drainage stopped, absolute ethanol and polidocanol were injected into the cyst cavity. After the procedure, the patient was observed for at least six hours for any adverse reactions and sent home. Patients were followed-up with ultrasonography. A positive treatment effect was characterized by a reduction of the cyst's pseudo-tumor pattern and size, and by detachment of the germinal membrane. RESULTS: The three patients in this report had a total of five hydatid cysts in muscle tissue and were all successfully treated with a modified percutaneous approach without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage without re-aspiration is simple, easy to apply, low cost, repeatable, and does not require hospitalization. There have been no reported deaths associated with the procedure and morbidity is very low. When the technique is applied properly, relapses do not occur. With its low complication rate and its suitability for outpatient treatment, this method can be an alternative to surgery or puncture, aspiration, injection, and re-aspiration (PAIR) in selected patients.     

Prospects in medical management of Echinococcus granulosus.

Both benzimidazoles (albendazole) and isoquineline compounds (praziquantel) have activity against. We reviewed the efficiency of benzimidazole and isoquineline in the management of hepatic Echinococcus in our clinical cases and the other laboratory and animal studies. Until recently, surgery was the only treatment of choice. Albendazole introduction and its early results were exciting. In 1985, a favorable outcome of a combination of albendazole and praziquantel was described and lately indications for pre- and postoperative prophylactic usage has been established. Both drugs in animal and laboratory studies by different authors and our own clinical experiences were reviewed and the effectiveness for both therapeutic and prophylaxis purposes were studied. Albendazole in the treatment of Echinococcus granulosus is shown to be superior to other benzimidazoles and a combination of albendazole and praziquantel is more effective than albendazole alone. Albendazole therapy is associated with a 50% disappearance of cysts and in others has caused shrinkage, cyst wall and interacystic changes. Pre- and postoperative prophylactic therapy is effective and side effects with regular follow-up and evaluation are not serious. Long-term follow-up showed a 30% recurrence rate, whereas, in contrast, combination therapy required a shorter period of therapy but long-term outcome and recurrence are still to be evaluated. In conclusion chemotherapy is an essential part of management. Combination therapy is more effective and requires a shorter period of treatment than albendazole alone. Pre- and postoperative prophylactic therapy reduce risk of spillage and dissemination during surgery and percutaneous aspiration. Chemotherapy failure could be due to a number of factors such as pharmacokinetics and queries different strains of parasites which should not prevent its usage as an essential part of management.     

Albendazole versus metronidazole treatment of adult giardiasis： An open randomized clinical study

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of albendazole and metranidazole treatment in giardiasis. METHODS: The open comparative randomized trial was carried out prospectively from December 1999 to July 2001 in Duzce City of Turkey. The diagnosis was based on the presence of signs and symptoms compatible with giardiasis including a positive stool examination of giardia cysts or trophozoite. Metranidazole group consisted of 29 patients and was given metranidazole 500 mg, three times a day for 5 d and albendazole group was consisted of 28 patients and was given albendazole 400 mg/d for 5 d. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographical and therapeutical effects and patient's compliance between both groups. But side effects were seen more in metranidazole group than in albendazole group. CONCLUSION: Albendazole is as effective as metranidazole in adults' giardiasis. Albendazole has less side effect potentials than metranidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.     

Albendazole plus praziquantel versus albendazole alone as a pre-operative treatment in intra-abdominal hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus

Summary objective  To compare the effects of a combined medication of albendazole (10 mg/kg/day) plus praziquantel (25 mg/kg/day) to those of albendazole alone at different doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day).
method  The protoscoleces9 viability was studied in a consecutive series of patients affected by intra-abdominal hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus . In all cases the drugs were given during the month prior to surgery.
results  A significant increase of patients with nonviable protoscoleces was observed in the group treated with the scolicides combination compared to those treated with albendazole alone, both at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day ( P = 0.004) and at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day ( P = 0.03). Albendazole sulphoxide levels in serum and in cyst fluid were higher in patients given the combined therapy than in those who received only albendazole (10 mg/kg/day: P = 0.016; 20 mg/kg/day: P = 0.034). Levels in the cysts were not significantly different probably due to the sample size; nevertheless a lineal relation between the values obtained in serum and inside the cysts could be discerned in the patients treated with the combined medication.
conclusion  Albendazole plus praziquantel is more effective than monotherapy with albendazole in the preoperative treatment of intra-abdominal hydatidosis.     

A new percutaneous approach for the treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of a new percutaneous treatment modality of hydatid disease of the liver and to present the results of long term follow-up. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients (55 female, mean age 43.5 yr) with 98 hydatid cysts (73 type I, 15 type II, and 10 type III) in the liver underwent percutaneous treatment. All patients were examined by ultrasonography and some of them were examined by CT. They were all positive by indirect hemagglutination test. Sonographic guidance was used in all patients. The procedure included the puncture and free drainage of the cyst fluid. After free drainage was stopped, absolute alcohol and polidocanol 1% were used as sclerosing agents. The patients were followed-up with periodic ultrasonographic examinations. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 33 months. The mean diameter of the cysts decreased from 77.0+/-2.7 mm to 63.0+/-2.5 mm (p < 0.001). The entire cyst cavity filled with a solid echo pattern in 32 cysts, two-thirds of the cyst cavity showed a pseudotumor echo pattern in 34 cysts, and one-third of the cyst cavity showed a pseudotumor pattern in 23 cysts, whereas no pseudotumor appearence was observed in eight cysts. Apart from an anaphylactoid reaction observed in one patient, no major complication occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Long term results indicate that this new percutaneous treatment modality of the hydatid disease of the liver is an effective and safe method without causing major complications. Percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver offers good results and should be the first choice, especially for patients who are contraindicated to surgery.     

A new therapeutic approach for treatment of hydatid cysts of the spleen

The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of a new percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts of the spleen and to present the results of long-term follow-up. Nine patients (six men, three women; median age 37 years) with 10 hydatid cysts in the spleen underwent a new percutaneous treatment. The procedure included the puncture and free drainage of the cyst fluid under sonographic guidance. After drainage has stopped, alcohol 96% and polidocanol 1% were used as sclerosing agents. The patients were followed up with periodic sonographic examinations. The median follow-up period was 39 months (range: 6–64 months). The median diameter of the cysts decreased from 63.0 mm to 33.3 mm (P < 0.01). The entire cyst cavity filled with a solid echo pattern in three cysts, two thirds of the cyst cavity showed a pseudotumor pattern in three cysts, and one third of the cyst cavity showed a pseudotumor pattern in four cysts. Apart from an urticarial reaction, no major complications occurred during the follow-up period. One patient had under-gone splenectomy due to persistent left upper quadrant pain eight months after treatment. Long-term results indicate that this new treatment modality of splenic hydatidosis is an effective and safe method and causes no major complications.     

日本血吸虫病与肠线虫病联合化疗的效果

血吸虫病人合并感染肠线虫者(A组)采取;吡喹酮40mg/kg加阿苯达唑200mg和复方甲苯咪唑400mg(尚含左旋咪唑100mg)分2d顿服,1个半月后血吸虫阴转率88.0％,蛔虫、鞭虫和钩虫阴转率分别为77.4％、23.6％及100.0％。对不合并血吸虫病的肠线虫病患者采取两种联合化疗方案:B组—阿苯达唑200mg和复方甲苯咪唑200mg(尚含左旋咪唑50mg)顿服,蛔虫、鞭虫和钩虫的阴转率分别为66.7％、18.8％和62.5％,较A组结果稍低;C组—阿苯达唑100mg和噻嘧啶900mg顿服的驱虫效果差,蛔虫和鞭虫的阴转率分别为50.0％及11.1％。3种驱虫方案对血吸虫和蛔虫的减卵率可达97.0％～99.9％;对钩虫的减卵率达68.9％～100％;对鞭虫的效果差。相应增加药物的剂量及改进服法,当可提高疗效。     

Albendazole in the treatment of intestinal capillariasis

Albendazole or Zentel a benzimidazole derivative, was used to treat intestinal capillariasis in hospitalized patients seen in Northern Luzon in the Philippines. In initial studies, four patients responded satisfactorily to the drug in dosages of 400 mg/day in divided doses for 20 days. This is the same dosage used for mebendazole, which has been the drug of choice in treating the parasitosis. In further studies, 16 patients with Capillaria philippinensis, were treated with 400 mg/day of the drug for 10 days, and 15 were completely cured. The one treatment failure was found to be passing eggs of the parasite three months later, and was retreated with the standard mebendazole regimen of 400 mg/day for 20 days. Side effects attributed to albendazole were not reported in any of the patients. Albendazole, 400 mg/day in two divided doses, is now the recommended drug of choice in Northern Luzon in the Philippines.     

A clinical-radiological evaluation of benzimidazoles in the management of Echinococcus granulosus cysts.

Nine patients with complicated hydatid disease managed with surgery and mebendazole/albendazole are presented. Five patients received albendazole (1 treatment course) and 5 patients received mebendazole (3 had 2 treatment courses, 1 had a switch-over from mebendazole to albendazole). The mean durations of treatment and follow-up were respectively 7 +/- 2.5 months and 7 +/- 2.5 months (albendazole); 13 +/- 10 months and 29 +/- 31 months (mebendazole). A superior clinical and radiological response was seen in 1 patient with disseminated intra-abdominal disease on switching therapy from mebendazole to albendazole. Radiological improvement occurred in 3/5 courses of albendazole and in 2/8 courses of mebendazole. Clinical improvement occurred in 3/5 courses of albendazole and 0/8 courses of mebendazole. Radiological deterioration was demonstrated in 0/5 courses of albendazole and 2/8 courses of mebendazole. Although the impression was that albendazole was superior, good responses were also seen with mebendazole. The heterogeneity of the patients, their disease, short follow-up time, lack of more sensitive noninvasive assay techniques urges caution before firm conclusions can be drawn.