ALBENDAZOLE TREATMENT OF HUMAN HYDATID TISSUE

The effect of albendazole was studied in 12 patients with cystic hydat id disease (CHD) of the liver. Six patients received albendazole conti nuously for 6 months, while 6 patients received albendazole for 6 cour ses of 4 weeks with a 2 week drug-free interval between cycles. The co ntinuous therapy proved successful, with stable involution at the foll ow-up at 24 months, while the patients treated with discontinuous ther apy showed improvement or relapse. In our experience, continuous thera py was more effective and can be considered to be a suitable alternati ve or percutaneous therapy in uncomplicated hydatid liver disease, as an initial treatment.