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

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 an 16-year-old girl with an active 12 cm cyst in the liver. Two consecutive courses with albendazole, with duration 3 months each, were conducted. The cyst reached a safe inactive stage and no relapses have been observed for 1 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.