Abstract:
Intra-operative cyst rupture is a catastrophic event in the intracranial
hydatid cyst disease. Dissemination of the cyst contents may
lead to severe anaphylactic reactions and an increased risk of recurrence.
Several scolicidal agents have been used to eradicate the infective
scolices but recurrences occur and no solution has been evaluated for
its adverse e¨ects to the brain tissue. Being a speci®c scolocidal agent
albendazole has been shown to be 100% scolicidal in vitro. In this
study, we present the electrophysiological and histopathological
e¨ects of intracerebral 2% albendazole injection in the rat brain.
Vascular, neuronal and glial as well as in¯ammatory changes were
evaluated in order to detect any adverse pharmacological e¨ects.
Electrophysiological and most microscopic parameters showed no
signi®cant e¨ects attributable to albendazole but in 25% of the albendazole
group cerebral gliosis was detected whereas no gliosis was
present in the control group. It is concluded that being a speci®c
scolicidal agent albendazole o¨ers an e½cient alternative for ruptured
cerebral hydatid disease, but the signi®cance and clinical importance
of the gliosis should be further investigated.
