Recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis is an uncommon disease. We are presenting a case of Taenia saginata causing pancreatitis, which is rare in the literature. A 40 years old female was admitted to our hospital with complaints of epigastric pain for 6 months, radiating to the back, combined with nausea, vomiting and significant weight loss. On examination, she looked ill, vitally stable, afebrile, not jaundiced, and her abdomen was soft, lax with moderate epigastric tenderness, no distention and positive bowel sounds. Her workup showed serum amylase of 1367 U/L, Liver function test, Calcium and Triglycerides were all within normal ranges. Abdominal Ultrasound showed homogeneous bulky pancreas with dilated pancreatic duct. CT abdomen confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatitis with no evidence of biliary stones. An upper gastrointestinal endoscope revealed diffuse gastritis with small haital hernia. She was treated conservatively as a case of idiopathic acute pancreatitis and later was discharged in good condition. One month later, she was admitted again with similar symptoms and attacks of diarrhea. Investigations showed amylase of 139 U/L, abdominal Ultrasound was negative for biliary stones. CT showed a prominent pancreatic duct and thickened duodenum. Oesophagogastrodudenoscopy was repeated to evaluate the cause of the pain. This interestingly revealed a tapeworm (Taenia saginata) in the second part of the duodenum, adjacent to ampulla of Vater. The patient received Mebendazole 100 mg PO BID for three days and later was discharged home. At 4 weeks follow up, she was asymptomatic and her stool analysis was negative.
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