Which of the following represents a treatment for echinococcal abscess other than surgery?

The treatment for echinococcal abscess, aside from surgery, primarily involves antiparasitic medications, which target the specific parasite responsible for the infection, Echinococcus. The antiparasitic agents, such as albendazole or mebendazole, are effective in reducing the size of the cysts and preventing further complications associated with echinococcal infections.

Using these medications can help manage the parasite and reduce the abscess's symptoms, particularly in patients where surgery is not immediately indicated or feasible. They work by inhibiting the parasite's ability to absorb glucose, ultimately leading to its death and a decrease in the size of the cysts.

The other options do not address the underlying parasitic infection directly. Antibiotics would not be effective, as they do not target parasitic infections. Topical ointments are not pertinent in treating internal abscesses, and radiation therapy is not a standard treatment for echinococcal abscesses as it does not specifically target the parasite or the infection effectively. Thus, the role of antiparasitic injection stands out as the most appropriate non-surgical treatment for echinococcal abscesses.