The effects of albendazole solution at scolocidal concentration in the ratbrain

Intra-operative cyst rupture is a catastrophic event in the intracranial hy datid cyst disease. Dissemination of the cyst contents may lead to severe a naphylactic reactions and an increased risk of recurrence. Several scolicidal agents have been used to eradicate the infective scolice s bur recurrences occur and no solution has been evaluated for its adverse effects to the brain tissue. Being a specific scolocidal agent albendazole has been shown to be 100% scolicidal in vitro. In this study, we present th e electrophysiological and histopathological effects of intracerebral 2% al bendazole injection in the rat brain. Vascular, neuronal and glial as well as inflammatory changes were evaluated in order to detect any adverse pharm acological effects. Electrophysiological and most microscopic parameters sh owed no significant effects attributable to albendazole but in 25% of the a lbendazole group cerebral gliosis was detected whereas no gliosis was prese nt in the control group. It is concluded that being a specific scolicidal a gent albendazole offers an efficient alternative for ruptured cerebral hyda tid disease, but the significance and clinical importance of the gliosis sh ould be further investigated.