Abdominal hydatid disease: follow-up of mebendazole therapy by CT and ultrasonography.

Computed tomography (CT) and Ultrasonography (US) were used for the diagnosis and follow-up of 10 cases of abdominal hydatid disease receiving treatment with Mebendazole because of a relative contraindication to surgery. With the exception of one case, the duration of follow-up varied from 20-36 months. There was an estimated 60% decrease in cyst size in one case, 10% decrease in another, unchanged in six (mostly calcified ones) and 60% increase in one case. CT density measurements of fluid content of the cysts increased in three cases accompanied by increased internal echoes on US in one case. The number and size of daughter cysts were reduced in one case and more calcification was noted in two cases. There was an overall slow and poor response to treatment and four cases eventually had surgery.