Primary pancreatic hydatid cyst: an unexpected differential diagnosis

Primary pancreatic hydatid cyst: A rare case report and diagnostic challenges

Key Clinical Message

In cystic lesions of the pancreas, hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnoses and its presence should be ruled out before any invasive interventions. Serological tests along with imaging studies related to hydatid cyst diagnostic indicators should be performed in people who live in Echinococcus granulosus endemic areas and suffer from cystic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract

Primary pancreatic hydatid cysts, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, represent a rare occurrence often challenging to diagnose due to their similarity to other pancreatic conditions. This case report outlines a 67-year-old male presenting with jaundice and cholestasis but lacking typical symptoms associated with pancreatic hydatid cysts. Laboratory findings revealed elevated bilirubin levels, liver enzyme abnormalities, and tumor markers, prompting imaging studies that indicated a cystic mass near the pancreatic head. Misdiagnosed initially as a mucinous cystic neoplasm, the patient underwent Whipple surgery, unveiling a large cystic lesion upon examination.

Primary Hydatid Cyst of the Pancreas: A Literature Review on a Rare and Challenging Occurrence of Echinococcosis

Hydatid disease is caused by the Echinococcus tapeworm and is a zoonosis that endemically affects certain geographic areas with a high prevalence in animal husbandry. Due to globalization, the pathology can also be encountered beyond these preferred geographic areas. It predominantly affects the liver and lungs, with pancreatic localizations of hydatid cysts being rare and posing a challenge for differential diagnosis and surgical tactics. The present study aimed to provide a recent scoping of the literature on this type of localization, analyzing demographic data, therapeutic management, and postoperative outcomes. It was observed that females are more frequently affected in pancreatic hydatid localizations (p < 0.001), with the most common symptomatology represented by abdominal pain. The preferred localization was at the level of the pancreatic tail (32.5%), followed by cephalic localizations (25%). The preferred surgical approach was open surgery, with an observed preference for open surgery in specific localizations, such as the head, isthmus, and body of the pancreas (p < 0.001). Radical procedures are more commonly used than conservative ones (52.5% vs. 47.5%), and paradoxically, although less invasive, procedures such as inactivation and drainage are associated with more frequent complications (p = 0.03). This type of localization, due to the elements of local anatomical topography, requires adequate preparation in biliopancreatic surgery, considering that sometimes preoperative diagnosis is not oriented, and intraoperative records may require extensive interventions. Our research encompassed a thorough review of literature spanning the last decade using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing specifically on cases involving primary hydatid cysts found within the pancreas. Thirty-three relevant articles were published between 2014 and 2024. In addition, we presented a unique case study that illustrates this uncommon occurrence.

Primary pancreatic hydatid disease: A rare presentation of echinococcosis

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic disease which rarely involves pancreas primarily. Diagnosis of pancreatic hydatid cyst is a challenge and operative skills are important to avoid spillage of cyst's content. A 19-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with recurrent abdominal pain which was on epigastrium and left upper quadrant of abdomen. Pain was not associated with nausea, vomiting or fever. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was ordered. As a result of abdominal CT scan, there was a cystic area in tail of pancreas with a diameter of 5.6 cm which includes septa and there was calcification on borders of the cyst. Possible diagnosis were either pancreatic hydatid disease, pancreatic cyst adenoma or cystadenocarcinoma or pseudocyst of autoimmune pancreatitis. Whole body positron emission tomography (PET-CT) scan showed no other cyst or lesion other than pancreatic cyst. Hydatid disease indirect hemagglutination test has been studied and it was positive. Imaging studies and laboratory results were suggested hydatid disease and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has been applied. Primary pancreatic hydatid disease should be in differential diagnosis when newly appearing pancreatic cyst has been diagnosed, especially in endemic areas. Appropriate surgical technique has to be applied to avoid dissemination of cyst's content.

Primary pancreatic hydatid cyst: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Hydatid cysts are parasitic zoonoses that often occur in the liver. Pancreatic hydatid cysts are very rare and are usually misdiagnosed as pancreatic cystadenomas. At present, surgical resection combined with albendazole administration is the standard treatment for pancreatic hydatid cysts. However, making accurate preoperative diagnoses and avoiding intraoperative cystic rupture are challenges for surgeons.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 28-year-old woman from the pastoral area presented to the surgical office complaining of abdominal pain and new-onset jaundice that began 9 days earlier. An enhanced computed tomography scan demonstrated a 6.0 × 5.3 cm pancreatic head cystic mass that compressed the common bile duct and induced choledochectasia. The preoperative diagnosis was pancreatic head cystadenoma, and laparotomic pancreaticoduodenectomy was initiated successfully. The intra- and postoperative diagnosis was pancreatic hydatid cyst. The patient was discharged uneventfully 7 days after the operation. A 1-year course of albendazole (15 mg/kg/day) was admitted.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic hydatid cysts are rare and often misdiagnosed as other types of cysts. History of living in an area in which the causative organism is endemic and positive anti-echinococcus IgG antibody status could help with the diagnosis. Radical resection combined with oral albendazole administration is the standard treatment for pancreatic hydatid cysts. Avoiding perioperative cystic rupture and abdominal echinococcosis implantation metastasis is crucial for the success of the operation.

Surgery of the pancreatic cystic echinococcosis: systematic review

The prevalence of pancreatic cystic echinococcosis (PCE) in the world is low ranging between 0.2% and 0.6%. The diagnosis of PCE is easy when it is associated to other location such as liver, it became difficult when PCE was isolated simulating other diagnosis such as pseudocyst, a choledochal cyst, serous or mucinous cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma. This systematic review aimed to provide evidence-based answer to the following questions: (I) what are the efficient tools to affirm the diagnosis of isolated PCE and (II) what are the best therapeutic strategy for the PCE? An electronic search was performed by two authors (W Dougaz, I Bouasker). Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane collaboration were consulted. The keywords used were "cyst", "echinococcosis", "hydatid cyst" and "pancreas". All abstracts were analyzed followed by extraction of the full text by the same two authors (W Dougaz, I Bouasker), all divergences were resolved by discussion with C Dziri. Recommendations were based on Oxford's classification: (I) what are the efficient tools to affirm the diagnosis of PCE? -ultrasound remains the cornerstone of diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reproduces the ultrasound defined features of CE better than computed tomography (CT). MRI with heavily T2-weighted series is preferable to CT. Pancreatic duct MRI should be promising to identify a fistula between PCE and pancreatic duct (level of evidence 3-recommendation B); (II) what are the best therapeutic strategy for the PCE? -surgery is the main treatment of PCE. Open approach is validated. The decision depends of the location of PCE: head versus body and/or tail of the pancreas (level of evidence 5-recommendation D): for the head of the pancreas, the tendency is toward conservative surgery. For body and/or tail of the pancreas, the tendency is toward radical surgery. Medical treatment (albendazole) should be prescribed 1 week before surgery and 2 months during postoperative period (level II evidence and grade C recommendation).