Tuberculosis masquerading as a pancreatic cyst in a patient with cirrhosis

Abstract

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being increasingly diagnosed incidentally in recent decades due to easy availability of abdominal imaging. They may be neoplastic or benign. Tuberculosis, the great masquerader, may rarely involve the pancreas mimicking pancreatic malignancy, cyst, or abscess. Identification of this rare entity is crucial to avoid potentially risky surgery as anti-tubercular pharmacotherapy is highly effective. We report a case of a 40-year old cirrhotic man who presented with a cystic hypodense lesion in the pancreatic tail and was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic tuberculosis. Apart from the rarity of diagnosis, our case also highlights the utility of endoscopic ultrasound for minimally invasive assessment of pancreatic lesions.