Gastroenterology and hepatology: hepatic hydatid cyst: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Gastroenterology and hepatology: hepatic hydatid cyst

Sample item

A 35-year-old farmer from a sheep-rearing region has a 9 cm septated cystic lesion with daughter cysts in the right hepatic lobe. Surgery is planned. Which drug is given beforehand to reduce the risk of recurrence from spillage?

AMetronidazoleBIvermectinCPraziquantelDAlbendazole

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Albendazole

Echinococcus granulosus causes hydatid cysts, and spillage of cyst contents risks anaphylaxis and seeding. Albendazole is given before and after surgery or percutaneous drainage to reduce recurrence, and cyst contents are inactivated with scolicidal agents.

Option by option

A. Metronidazole
Metronidazole treats amoebic liver abscess, not hydatid cysts.
B. Ivermectin
Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis and scabies, not hydatid disease.
C. Praziquantel
Praziquantel is not the standard perioperative agent for hydatid disease.
D. Albendazole (correct)
Correct. Albendazole kills protoscoleces and lowers the risk of recurrence after spillage.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Albendazole. Echinococcus granulosus causes hydatid cysts, and spillage of cyst contents risks anaphylaxis and seeding.

Why is "Metronidazole" not the answer?

Metronidazole treats amoebic liver abscess, not hydatid cysts.

Why is "Ivermectin" not the answer?

Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis and scabies, not hydatid disease.

Why is "Praziquantel" not the answer?

Praziquantel is not the standard perioperative agent for hydatid disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology and hepatology: hepatic hydatid cyst in General Medicine. Albendazole is given before and after surgery or percutaneous drainage to reduce recurrence, and cyst contents are inactivated with scolicidal agents.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastroenterology and hepatology: hepatic hydatid cyst?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.