[Pancreatic echinococcosis].

Echinococcosis is a widespread parasitosis which is endemic in many countries of Latin America, Asia and Southern Europe. Cysts are generally to be found in the liver and lungs. If exceptionally located in other organs, the condition may pose serious problems of differential diagnosis versus neoplasms. Furthermore, if unnoticed, they may expose the patient--in case of surgery--to the risk of anaphylaxis due to leakage of cystic fluid. The pancreas is one of least frequent locations. Multiple surgical procedures are possible. Pericystectomy is often difficult and exposes patients to the risk of postoperative complications. Marsupialisation and internal drainage into the gut are the most common interventions; percutaneous drainage, too, has been described in patients at high surgical risk. The authors report the case of a patient from Morocco who emigrated to Northern Italy, where the disease is not endemic. The radiological examinations led to a suspicion of disease, later confirmed by serological tests. A cystojejunostomy with a Roux loop was carried out due to the large size of the cyst. The lack of surgical radicality forced the patient to undergo adequate medical therapy. At present the patient shows no signs of recurrence of the disease.