A rare case of tropical chronic pancreatitis with giant pseudocyst: Case report

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP) is common in developing countries and is defined as a juvenile form of chronic calcific non-alcoholic pancreatitis. Pseudocysts occur in 20–40% of chronic pancreatitis. TCP with pseudocyst has not been reported yet, so we represent this rare case to broaden the horizons regarding pancreatitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-year-old woman suffered a painful lump in the upper abdomen. She came from a low-income family and frequently consumed cassava. There was intolerance of glucose in which admission blood sugar level of the patient increased by 179 mg/dl. An abdominal CT scan showed a mass around the pancreas, 20 cm in diameter, and located in retro-gastric. There were multiple ductal calculi along the major pancreatic duct with the largest stone was 3 cm in the pancreatic head. Longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (Partington-Rochelle procedure) has been performed and histopathological results appropriate with a pancreatic pseudocyst. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: TCP with a giant pseudocyst is an interesting case report that has not been reported yet. This case met the clinical characteristics of TCP, such as young women, malnourished, history of cassava consumption, abdominal pain, and intolerance of glucose. A surgical intervention provides a satisfactory result to the patient. CONCLUSION: Tropical chronic pancreatitis is a rare case. A pseudocyst adds the uniqueness of this case that has never been reported before. Appropriate management can provide satisfactory results and improve the quality of life for patients.