Gastrointestinal Imaging

Hydatid disease, pancreatic

For a general description, see hydatid disease. Pancreatic involvement by hydatid disease is extremely rare. It may be associated with other visceral or bone involvement but may also be isolated. Pancreatic hydatid cysts are more frequently located in the head of the pancreas. Compression of or fistulization with the common bile duct can occur.

The radiological imaging features that are useful for distinguishing hydatid cyst from a simple cyst, pseudocyst or cystic tumour are the presence of curvilinear calcification in the wall of the cyst, daughter cysts of debris (hydatid sand), septations or a floating membrane within the cyst.

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