Echinococcus

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Antibodies

Liver echinococcus - CT scan

Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease

Many patients can be successfully treated with albendazole or mebendazole, which must often be used in long courses of up to three months. Another drug, praziquantel, may be helpful in combination with albendazole or mebendazole.

If the cysts are in troublesome locations, the definitive treatment is to remove them surgically if the patient's condition permits the procedure. This can be a complicated type of surgery.

The probable outcome is good for people with cysts that respond to oral medication treatment.

The cysts may rupture and cause severe illness, including fever, low blood pressure, and shock. In such cases, the cysts may also disperse and cause widespread disease throughout the body.

Call your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of this disorder develop.

Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.