Abstracto

Long-Term Drug Treatment of a Giant Liver Hydatid Cyst in a Child

Valeri Velev1,2*, Victoria G Vicheva1, Yordanka Mitova Mineva1

Background: Cystic еchinococcosis is a chronic parasitosis caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Humans act as intermediate hosts and the larvae can affect any organ in the form of cysts. They are most often found incidentally by diagnostic imaging, where they have become large in size, with treatment being primarily invasive. Conservative treatment with albendazole is one of the appropriate treatment options, but it features a low success rate in cysts over 5 cm.

Case presentation: We describe a case of a 16-year-old girl with an active 12 cm cyst in the liver. Two consecutive courses with albendazole, with duration three months each, were conducted. The cyst reached a safe inactive stage and no relapses have been observed for one year since the last administration of the medication.

Conclusions: Our experience shows that with large cysts albendazole courses may be extended including in childhood. Ultrasonography has clearly demonstrated its ability to follow-up patient in a cost effective manner and avoiding ionizing radiations.