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Hydatid cyst of head of pancreas mimicking choledochal cyst

Sanwar Agrawal1, Pulak Parag

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Ekta Institute of Child Health, Raipur, India. drsanwar50@gmail.com

BMJ Case Reports
|June 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of a pancreatic hydatid cyst (HC) mimicked a choledochal cyst (CDC) in a child. The cyst caused common bile duct (CBD) obstruction, highlighting an unusual presentation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Choledochal cysts (CDCs) are congenital biliary abnormalities often presenting in childhood.
  • Pancreatic hydatid cysts (HCs) are rare parasitic infections caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
  • Common bile duct (CBD) obstruction can result from various pathologies, including cysts.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain, jaundice, and a palpable gallbladder mass.
  • Preoperative imaging suggested a type I choledochal cyst (CDC).
  • Intraoperative findings revealed a hydatid cyst (HC) of the pancreas obstructing the CBD.

Findings:

  • The pancreatic HC mimicked a CDC on clinical and imaging evaluation.
  • The HC caused significant obstruction of the common bile duct (CBD).
  • This represents an unusual presentation of a pancreatic hydatid cyst.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of biliary obstruction in children.
  • Underscores the need for advanced imaging and intraoperative vigilance to differentiate between CDC and other cystic lesions.
  • Emphasizes the rare but significant potential for pancreatic hydatid cysts to mimic common congenital biliary anomalies.

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