Combined chemotherapy and surgery for hydatid bone disease

Abstract

Fig. 1 Life-cycle of the tapeworm Echinococcus.

Hydatidosis of the pelvis and hip

“…Patients with extensive destruction of the ilium and hip (cases [6][7][8] These patients presented with pain in the hip, limitation of movement, and significant swelling around the hip with sinus formation.…”

“…Bone echinococcosis occurs in about 1-4% of patients who suffer from hydatid infestation [6], and the most commonly described sites are the vertebrae, the long bones of the lower limbs, the pelvis and hip joint, the ribs and the scapulae [2].…”

“…The treatment of choice is a combination of chemotherapy, with drugs such as mebendazole or albendazole, and surgical debridement [6].…”

Albendazole treatment and serological follow-up in hydatid disease of bone

“…b 3 years later, after surgery and 6 courses of albendazole therapy is better absorbed with higher levels of active metabolite in the cysts compared with other benzimidazoles [10]. The poorest response has, however, been in hydatid disease of bone, although Szypryt et al have reported 5 patients treated successfully by a combination of albendazole and surgery, even though only one or two cycles of chemotherapy were given [20]. Other studies have confirmed the effect of albendazole on hydatid disease which correlated with the duration of treatment [22].…”

“…Surgical treatment alone may not be successful because of the difficulty of total excision, and may increase the risk of dissemination. Recently a combination of chemotherapy with albendazole and operation has had encouraging results [20].…”