Hydatid cyst of the hepatopancreatic groove - A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Hydatid cysts are zoonoses caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It can affect any part of the body. The most common sites are the liver and lungs. Hydatid cyst of the hepatopancreatic groove is rare and to the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported in the literature before. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a young male patient who presented with abdomimal pain and jaundice. His workup revealed a hydatid cyst in the hepatopancreatic groove. Surgery for the hydatid cyst was done and the postoperative course was uneventful. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Hepatopancreatic groove is an atypical site for a hydatid cyst. The main symptoms of a patient include vomiting, discomfort as well as pain in the epigastrium. The diagnostic imaging techniques include an ultrasound, CT scan as well as an MRI. Definitive treatment includes the cyst to be surgically removed. CONCLUSION: Hydatid cyst of the hepatopancreatic groove is rare. The diagnosis is usually not very easy and imaging can help in this regard. Surgery is the treatment modality of choice.