Complete Resolution of Bilateral Pulmonary Hydatid Cysts with Prolonged Administration of Albendazole: A Rare Occurrence

ABSTRACT

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common species which is responsible for hydatid disease in the humans who act as accidental intermediate hosts in the life cycle of the parasite. Pre-operative albendazole therapy followed by surgery is the mainstay of treatment for pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cyst at present. Not much data is available to support the sole use of albendazole for complete cure apart from its usage for those patients who have refused surgery or cannot undergo surgery because of any reason. We hereby report the case of a 12 year old female patient who was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary hydatid cysts that responded well to Albendazole 15mg/kg /day given for a period of nine months with a drug free interval of one week every month. There was complete clinical and radiological resolution of hydatid cyst after the treatment. There has been no recurrence on follow-up of one year.