Avoiding the diagnostic pitfalls of a pancreatic cystic lesion

Cystic pancreatic lesions present a diagnostic challenge. Accurate characterisation of an isolated cystic pancreatic lesion is therefore vital as this dictates the management strategy which may vary from radical resection to simple observation. This report describes how a detailed preoperative assessment led to the correct diagnosis of an isolated pancreatic lesion and appropriate safe and curative surgical management.

Clinical considerations of primary hydatid disease of the pancreas

BACKGROUND

The pancreas is a rare primary location of hydatid disease. The purpose of our study is to gain more insight into this entity and to focus on the management and the diagnostic approach to the disease.

METHODS

The medical records of 5 patients with hydatid cysts of the pancreas were reviewed.

RESULTS

Four of the cysts were primary, while in 1 case a coexisting cyst was found in the liver. The body and tail of the pancreas were the most common locations. Clinical presentation varied according to the anatomic location of the cyst. Abdominal pain, discomfort and vomiting were the main clinical symptoms. One patient presented with obstructive jaundice, while another patient manifested a mild episode of anaphylactic shock. The indirect hemagglutination test was positive in 3 of 4 cases. A computed tomography scan successfully imaged all cysts and calcification of the cystic wall was found in 3 of 4 cases. All patients underwent surgical therapy. Hydatid cysts in the tail of the pancreas were successfully treated with distal pancreatectomy, while cysts in the body and head of pancreas were treated with proper evacuation, pericystectomy and omentoplasty. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients except 1 who presented a pancreatic fistula and was re-operated. The mean length of hospitalization after surgery was 11-12 (range 10-13) days, except for the patient who needed to be re-operated. No evidence of cyst recurrence was observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydatid cystic masses of the upper abdomen might also originate from the pancreas especially in endemic countries. Surgical excision of the entire cystic lesion remains the optimal treatment, offering hope for a complete cure.

Primary pancreatic hydatid disease in a child: case report and review of the literature

A 9-year-old boy was admitted with acute abdomen, and a cystic mass in the pancreas was coincidentally detected by ultrasonography. Definitive diagnosis of hydatid disease of the pancreas could be made only at operation, and surgical therapy was effective.

Pancreatic hydatid cyst

A patient with primary hydatid cyst involving the tail of the pancreas and treated successfully by distal pancreatectomy is reported. Additionally, we performed splenectomy because the spleen was lifted on to the cyst, and cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis.

Hydatid cyst in the head of the pancreas with obstructive jaundice

We report a rare case of obstructive jaundice caused by an intrapancreatic hydatid cyst in a 17-year-old black girl. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated the obstructing cyst in the head of the pancreas. Cyst aspiration produced clear fluid with a low amylase content and no hydatid hooklets or protoscolices. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed for a presumed cystic neoplasm of the pancreas, but histology showed the true diagnosis. Pancreatic hydatidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructing pancreatic cysts in the appropriate epidemiological setting.

Surgical treatment of hydatid cysts of the pancreas

This series consists of seven patients with hydatid cysts of the pancreas; five females and two males, with an average age of 31 years. In a follow-up extending up to 33 years, about a 50% rate of correct preoperative diagnosis was recorded. The most sensitive and effective diagnostic modalities such as latex agglutination, ultrasonic, radionuclide, computerized tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques were not available till the late seventies and therefore were only used during diagnosis of the latter 3 cases. Four patients had cysts located in the head of the pancreas. Three cysts were situated in the body and tail. Two distal pancreatectomies, two cystectomies and three marsupialization and external drainage procedures were performed for the surgical management of these cases. Two of the marsupialized and externally drained patients had fistulas which eventually dried up within a month leading to a total morbidity of 29% and a mortality rate of nil.