PURPOSE: To evaluate conservative management of renal echinococcosis in cases with normal renal function and active disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a series of 12 consecutive patients with primary renal echinococcosis, nephrectomy was suggested to 4 patients because of kidney destruction. One patient who denied surgery and 5, in whom serological tests were positive, were given mebendazole for 30 days. 3 patients with no evidence of active disease were not given any medication. RESULTS: The patient who denied nephrectomy and 1 out of 5 with positive serological tests did not respond to mebendazole treatment. The latter underwent a cyst excision. Thus, 4 responders to mebendazole and 3 who were not given any medication, avoided surgery and continue to have negative serological tests for more than 3 years. CONCLUSION: Conservative management and long term follow up are proposed for the non-active or mebendazole-responsive patients. For the non-respondents or the cases with kidney destruction, surgery is the only hope for cure.
PURPOSE: To evaluate conservative management of renal echinococcosis in cases with normal renal function and active disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a series of 12 consecutive patients with primary renal echinococcosis, nephrectomy was suggested to 4 patients because of kidney destruction. One patient who denied surgery and 5, in whom serological tests were positive, were given mebendazole for 30 days. 3 patients with no evidence of active disease were not given any medication. RESULTS: The patient who denied nephrectomy and 1 out of 5 with positive serological tests did not respond to mebendazole treatment. The latter underwent a cyst excision. Thus, 4 responders to mebendazole and 3 who were not given any medication, avoided surgery and continue to have negative serological tests for more than 3 years. CONCLUSION: Conservative management and long term follow up are proposed for the non-active or mebendazole-responsive patients. For the non-respondents or the cases with kidney destruction, surgery is the only hope for cure.
Authors: Antonio Granata; Antonio Basile; Giuseppe Alessandro Bruno; Alberto Saita; Mario Falsaperla; Michele Figuera; Maurizio Gallieni; Fulvio Floccari Journal: Int J Nephrol Date: 2011-05-10