Hydatid Disease Presenting as Pancreatitis
JC Hewes, A Milsom, SF Purkiss
Corresponding address: Academic Department
of Surgery, Royal London Hospital, London E1 2AD, UK
Abstract
A 20-year old Turkish man presented with a
one year history of weight loss and epigastric pain. Pancreatitis
was confirmed with hyperamylasaemia. CT scanning of the pancreas
revealed a complex pseudo-cyst but serological tests were negative.
After ERCP the patient deteriorated with sepsis and this prompted
surgery as gas was seen within the pseudocyst on repeat CT.
Laparotomy was performed and a large infected
cyst in the head of the pancreas was opened and the contents evacuated.
Cystostomy was anastomosed to a Roux loop of jejunum to allow
drainage. Medical treatment with albendazole was given and the
patient made a good recovery.
Hydatid cysts of the pancreas are rare and an
even rarer cause of pancreatitis. Awareness of hydatid disease
should be maintained even in non-endemic areas as early diagnosis
and treatment can avoid serious and potentially life threatening
complications.
Key words
Hydatid, pancreatitis, echinococcus granulosus,
cystostomy, albendazole
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