title: Primary hydatid cysts of the pancreas.
abstract: Pancreatic involvement by hydatid disease is uncommon. Establishing a precise diagnosis may be difficult because the presenting symptoms and findings of investigations may be similar to other more commonly encountered cystic lesions of the pancreas. We report 4 patients with primary hydatid cysts in the head of the pancreas. The records of all patients treated for hydatid disease from 1980 to 2000 were reviewed. During the study period a total of 280 patients were treated, 4 of whom had hydatid disease involving only the pancreas. The 4 patients (3 women, 1 man) ranged in age from 17 to 60 years. Three patients presented with jaundice, abdominal pain and weight loss, 2 with hepatomegaly and 1 with an epigastric mass. All 4 lesions involved the head of the pancreas and ranged in size from 3 to 10 cm in diameter. In 2 patients the investigations incorrectly suggested a cystic tumour and both underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. In 2 patients the correct diagnosis allowed local excision to be performed. Hydatid cyst is a rare cause of a cystic mass in the head of the pancreas, but should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas, especially in endemic areas.
authors: Surgical Gastroenterology and Departments of Surgery and Radiology, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
authors: J E J
authors: JE
authors: Krige
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mirza
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Bornman
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Beningfield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed