Primary Hydatid Disease of Pancreas Mimicking Cystic Neoplasm

• DOI: 10.1097/smj.0b013e31819c3bef
• Publication Date: 2011-04-06T22:20:45Z
• Authors: Cem Ibis; Dogan Albayrak; Aydin Altan
• Keywords: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Echinococcosis; Humans; Pancreatic Diseases; Female; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography; 3. Good health

Primary hydatid disease of the pancreas is very rare. We report a 33-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital with abdominal discomfort due to the pancreatic mass. A diagnosis of a pancreatic cystic mass was established through abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography scan. Hydatid disease as well as a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas were both thought in the differential diagnosis. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. The histopathologic evaluation of the specimen revealed a hydatid cyst affecting the tail of the pancreas. Hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cystic masses of the pancreas, especially in endemic regions.