[Non-surgical treatment for nonresectable advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic methods of nonresectable advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze 25 cases of nonresectable advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in the Fourth Hospital of PLA from 2006 to 2009. RESULTS: There were 18 male and 7 female patients with a mean age of 41 years. Twelve cases were treated with albendazole alone. Eleven patients were treated with albendazole combined with percutaneous puncture. Two cases were treated with albendazole combined with other intervention. A course of albendazole administration lasted 2 weeks with a dose of 15-20 mg/(kg x d) for 3 course in general. Eighteen patients were followed up for 1-4 years. In albendazole group, 2 cases were effective and 7 cases were symptom-improved. Five patients got improved and 2 cases showed effective in albendazole combined with percutaneous puncture group. Two cases of albendazole combined with intervention group showed no efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term use of albendazole is the main treatment for nonresectable advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.