Large pancreatic hydatid cyst presenting with obstructive jaundice

Primary hydatid disease of the pancreas is very rare. We report about the case of a 38-year-old man who presented with jaundice, abdominal pain and epigastric mass. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large, thick-walled pancreatic cystic mass compressing the common bile duct and causing obstructive jaundice.

The treatment involved eccentration and the resection of the protruding mass by cystogastrostomy. The procedure was successful and no recurrence or complication occurred postoperatively.

Hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cystic masses in the pancreas, especially in the geographical regions where the disease is endemic.