Rare case presentation of dermoid cyst of pancreas

Abstract

Teratomas are classified as either mature or immature, and according to tissue density can be classified to solid or cystic, also known as “dermoid cyst.” Immature teratomas are generally solid, histologically undifferentiated malignant tumors. Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) in the pancreas are extremely rare with small number of cases reported in the literature. The most common location of the mass is in the head/ body of the pancreas. Diagnosis of teratomas is challenging, since there are no peculiar imaging findings, or characteristic serum markers. We present a case of a 42-years-old woman with a mature cystic teratoma in the head of the pancreas incidentally found at ultrasound imaging, who after surgical treatment remained asymptomatic. This case emphasizes the necessity of specific diagnostic tools and increased awareness about MCT, when a pancreatic cystic lesion is disclosed.