DERMOID CYST OF THE PANCREAS - A RARE CYSTIC NEOPLASM

Dermoid cysts of the pancreas, also called cystic teratomas, are a rar e entity and are included in the group of neoplasms with a germ cell o rigin. Only twelve cases have been described in the world literature. The symptomatology is due to tumor compression of the neighboring tiss ues. Ultrasonography and computed tomography may be helpful, but there are no pathognomonic data for their preoperative recognition. The dif ferential diagnosis should include all other cystic tumors of the panc reas. Complete surgical removal is mandatory. We describe the diagnost ic and surgical procedures in a 74 year-old man with a pre-operatively unsuspected dermoid cyst. We review the previously published cases an d emphasize the appropriate therapeutical management.