Combined albendazole and praziquantel versus albendazole alone in the treatment of hydatid disease

Abstract

Background/aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different regimens of medical treatment in hydatid disease at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh.

Methodology: Between April 1985 and August 1990 albendazole was used alone in the treatment of 22 patients with hydatid disease, mainly of the liver. Since September 1990, we have used a combination treatment of albendazole and praziquantel in 19 patients.

Results: For those patients treated only with albendazole, 8 patients (36.4%) showed a complete disappearance of the cyst, in 4 of which the treatment period ranged between 6 months to 2 years. The other 4 patients had ruptured liver cyst into biliary tree and had endoscopic treatment with complete recovery over a short period. For those patients treated with albendazole and praziquantel the following results were found. During a follow-up period of 2 months to 3 years and a treatment period of only 2-6 months there was complete disappearance of the hydatid cyst in 9 patients (47.4%) and over 50% reduction of the hydatid cyst in 5 patients (36.84%).

Conclusion: Combination treatment with albendazole and praziquantel for hydatid disease is more effective than albendazole alone.