Primary hydatid cyst of the pancreas of the child: a case report

Abstract

Primary pancreatic hydatid lesions are very rare with an incidence of less than 1% in the adult population. We report an observation of a 5-year-old girl who consulted for isolated abdominal pain occurring for 2 weeks without vomiting, transit disorders or jaundice and evolving in a context of conservation of the general condition and apyrexia. Clinical examination and preoperative imaging have suggested the diagnosis of a choledochal cyst or duodenal duplication rather than a hydatid cyst of the pancreas due to the presence of a cystic hepatic image projecting into the liver hilum. During the procedure, a hydatid cyst was found occupying the head of the pancreas. Primary hydatidosis of the pancreas in children is extremely rare. Possible sources of infection include: blood diffusion, local spread via biliopancreatic ducts and peripancreatic lymphatic invasion. In the endemic areas, hydatid disease should be mentioned in the list of differential diagnoses of cystic lesions located around the biliopancreatic junction in children.

Hydatid Cyst of the Pancreas: An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain

“…They are rare, with an incidence rate ranging from 0.14% to 2% [ 5 ]. They are exceptionally reported in children [ 6 ]. Pancreatic cyst grows slowly at a rate of 0.3-2 cm/year [ 7 ], and their size is variable from few millimeters to several centimeters [ 6 ].…”

“…They are exceptionally reported in children [ 6 ]. Pancreatic cyst grows slowly at a rate of 0.3-2 cm/year [ 7 ], and their size is variable from few millimeters to several centimeters [ 6 ]. In 90% of cases, PHCs are solitary; they are located in the pancreatic head in 50-58% of the cases [ 5 ].…”

Primary Pancreatic Echinococcosis: A Rare Cause of Pancreatic Cyst

“…Primary hydatid disease of the pancreas is rare-the largest single study of hydatid disease in 357 cases occurring over 20 years had only 1 case [9]. Infestation of the pancreas occurs mainly by hematogenous or peri-pancreatic lymphatic invasion [10]. Clinical manifestation depends on the anatomical location of cyst and its complications such as infection, rupture, hemorrhage, biliary or pancreatic fistula, vascular thrombosis and acute or chronic pancreatitis.…”

Rare presentations of hydatid cyst disease

“…7 In another interesting case, authors reported pancreatic hydatid cyst in a patient presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. 8 Therefore, the disease can mimic a number of clinical conditions. In Wei et al's study, the disease mimicked renal cell carcinoma.…”