Abstract

Hydatid cyst is a common disease in some geographic areas of the world and expected to be seen in usual organs such as liver and lung; however its occurrence in some unexpected organs such as pancreas, will be missed and the surgeons would be the first physicians who diagnose pancreatic hydatid cyst during surgery. During the last 20 years, we found 124 reported cases of pancreatic hydatid cysts from all over the world (most commonly from Turkey and India), most of which had not definite preoperative diagnosis. According to the published cases, this disease is more common in men with no age preference (more common in adults). The most common clinical presentation has been abdominal pain and the best laboratory test has been enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Ultrasonography has been the most reliable, accurate and feasible imaging modality. The most common operation has been cystectomy with scolicidal agents, however according to characteristics of the cyst, variable methods have been used. Recurrence rate and complication in the reported cases of pancreatic cyst has been low.