Hydatid disease

Hydatid disease occurs because of chronic tapeworm infection. The sheep is an intermediate host for the tapeworm, and as such farmers are likely to be exposed to tapeworm eggs. Patients may suffer progressive liver symptoms over a number of years, and the diagnosis can be an incidental finding. Rapid worsening of symptoms can occur with cyst rupture or infection. Surgical excision of large cysts, coupled with albendazole in repeated 1 month courses or a 3-6 month course of albendazole.