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GE-Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology

versão impressa ISSN 2341-4545

GE Port J Gastroenterol vol.29 no.2 Lisboa abr. 2022  Epub 15-Set-2022

https://doi.org/10.1159/000514783 

Clinical Case Study

A Rare Presentation of a Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas

Uma rara apresentação de neoplasia sólida pseudopapilar do pâncreas

Raphael José da Silva1 
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3696-8884

Isaac Nilton Fernandes Oliveira1 
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4175-2084

Tarsila Campanha da Rocha Ribeiro1 

Liliana Andrade Chebli1 

Fábio Heleno de Lima Pace1 

Julio Maria Fonseca Chebli1 

1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, University of Juiz de Fora School of Medicine, Juiz de Fora, Brazil


Abstract

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN) are rare and represent a minority of all pancreatic cystic tumors. Symptoms, if present, are generally nonspecific and upper gastrointestinal bleeding is extremely uncommon as an initial presentation. A 31-year-old woman with no prior medical history presented with a 3-week period of epigastric pain, which she reported as persistent, exacerbated by eating, and associated with progressive asthenia, fatigue, and exertional dyspnea. One month prior, she had had experienced 2 episodes of melena. Upon physical examination her skin was pale, with no other changes. Through diagnostic investigation, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a giant ulcer in the duodenal bulb and a suspect fistulous orifice localized on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb. In addition, a bulge on the duodenal bulb, suggestive of an extrinsic compression, was noticed. An abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mixed solid and cystic lesion in the head of the pancreas in direct proximity to the duodenum, which contained an image compatible with a fistula. The patient successfully underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. The histopathology, including microscopic analysis and immunohistochemistry, was consistent with an SPN of the pancreas. This case emphasizes that the evaluation of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a giant duodenal ulcer and an extrinsic mass effect noted on the duodenum should include cross-sectional images of the abdomen. In this case, the finding of a large well-encapsulated pancreatic solid and cystic mass on abdominal images was suggestive of a pancreatic neoplasm diagnosis, including an SPN.

Keywords: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; Cystic pancreatic neoplasm; Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms

Resumo

Neoplasias sólidas pseudopapilares (NSP) são raras e re presentam uma minoria de todos os tumores císticos do pâncreas. Os sintomas, se presentes, geralmente são in específicos e a hemorragia gastrointestinal superior é extremamente incomum como apresentação inicial. Uma mulher de 31 anos sem história médica prévia apresentava a três semanas dor epigástrica, a qual ela relatava como persistente, exacerbada pela alimentação e acompanhada de astenia progressiva, fadiga e dispneia aos esforços. Além disso, um mês antes, ela teve dois episódios de melenas. Ao exame físico havia palidez cutânea, sem outras alterações. Através da investigação diagnóstica, uma esofagogastroduodenoscopia mostrou uma úlcera gigante no bulbo duodenal e a suspeita de um orifício fistuloso localizado na parede posterior do bulbo duodenal. Adicionalmente, um abaulamento sobre o bulbo duodenal, sugestivo de uma compressão extrínsica, foi notado. A tomografia computadorizada de abdome e a imagem de ressonância magnética mostraram uma lesão mista de aparência sólida e cística na cabeça do pâncreas, em proximidade direta com o duodeno, a qual continha uma imagem compatível com uma fístula. A paciente foi submetida a pancreaticoduodenectomia com sucesso. A histopatologia, incluindo análise microscópica e imunohistoquímica, foi compatível com NSP do pâncreas. Este caso enfatiza que a avaliação dos pacientes, que apresentam hemorragia gastrointestinal superior devido à úlcera duodenal gigante e um efeito de massa extrínseco notado sobre o duodeno, deve incluir imagem abdominal. Neste caso, o achado de uma grande massa pancreática sólida e cística bem encapsulada na imagem abdominal, sugeria o diagnóstico de uma neoplasia pancreática, incluindo a NSP.

Palavras Chave: Sangramento gastrointestinal superior; Neoplasia pancreática cística; Neoplasia sólida pseudopapilar

Introduction

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN) are rare and represent approximately 3-4% of all cystic pancreatic tumors [1]. Symptoms, if present, are unspecific and include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and, less frequently, jaundice, a palpable mass, and pancreatitis [2]. However, at least one third of all SPN are found incidentally by imaging for other indications [2, 3]. To the best of our knowledge, upper gastrointestinal bleeding is extremely uncommon as the initial presentation of SPN. Here, we report a patient who presented with epigastric pain and melena unmasking an SPN of the pancreas.

Case Presentation

A 31-year-old woman with no prior medical history presented to our gastroenterology clinic with a 3-week history of epigastric pain associated with progressive asthenia, fatigue, and exertional dyspnea. The pain was reported as persistent and it was exacerbated by eating. One month prior, she had experienced 2 episodes of melena. A review of her systems was otherwise unremarkable, and her vital signs were stable. Upon physical examination, she was pale and nonjaundiced, with a temperature of 36.5°C and a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. Her heart and respiratory rates were 92 beats/min and 14 breaths/min, respectively. Her abdomen was soft and nontender. There was no palpable mass, and bowel sounds were unremarkable.

Laboratory tests showed her hemoglobin at 8.6 g/dL and thrombocytosis (502 × 109/L), with the remainder of the complete blood count normal. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 120 mm in the first hour, while her serum urea, blood sugar, electrolytes, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, aminotransferases, amylase, lipase, and CA 19-9 levels were within the normal ranges.

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a giant ulcer in the duodenal bulb 5 cm in diameter, which presented a tightly adherent blood clot, a necrotic base, and a suspect fistulous orifice localized on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb. In addition, a bulge on the duodenal bulb, suggestive of an extrinsic compression, was noticed (Fig. 1). There was mild diffuse oozing of blood from the lesion. The clot was removed with cold snaring, and bipolar diathermy was applied to the lesion to achieve adequate hemostasis. Biopsy samples from the ulcer edge showed inflammatory slough without fibrosis. A regimen of intravenous omeprazole (80-mg boluses), followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg/h for 72 h, was initiated, and transfusions of 2 units of packed red blood cells were ordered.

Fig. 1 Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showing a giant ulcer in the duodenal bulb 5 cm in diameter, which presented a tightly adherent blood clot and a necrotic base. There was mild diffuse oozing of blood from the lesion. 

An abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mixed solid and cystic lesion in the head of the pancreas approximately 12 × 10 cm in diameter. This mass was well delimited by a capsule that presented enhancement on the arterial phase. The tumor was in direct proximity to the duodenum and contained an air cavity within it that was filled by oral contrast, which was compatible with a fistulous tract (Fig. 2, 3). There was no dilation of the bile or pancreatic ducts on the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography scan displaying a mixed solid and cystic lesion in the head of the pancreas approximately 12 × 10 cm in diameter. The tumor was in direct proximity to the duodenum and contained an air cavity within it that was filled by oral contrast, which was compatible with a fistulous tract (arrows). 

Fig. 3 Abdominal magnetic resonance image showing a mixed solid and cystic well-defined lesion in the head of the pancreas. This mass was well delimited by an enhancing thick fibrous capsule (arrows). 

The patient successfully underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. The histopathology of the surgical specimen revealed a tumor presenting a central ulceration, with hemorrhagic and necrotic areas mixed with solid areas extending to the duodenum and causing mucosal ulceration and fistulization to the duodenum (Fig. 4). None of the 7 lymph nodes evaluated were positive for malignancy. Microscopic analysis revealed sheets of uniform polygonal cells with pseudopapillary features (Fig. 5), with no margin involvement or perineural and angiolymphatic invasion. Immunohistochemistry was reactive for β-catenin, α1-antitrypsin, CD10, and Ki-67, which was consistent with an SPN of the pancreas.

Fig. 4 Surgical specimen exhibiting a well-encapsulated tumor presenting a large central ulceration. 

Fig. 5 Microscopic analysis of a surgical specimen showing sheets of uniform polygonal cells with a pseudopapillary appearance. 

Discussion and Conclusion

SPN are rare pancreatic cystic neoplasms that occur most frequently in the second and third decades of life, and they predominantly (90%) affect young women. The most common clinical presentation includes incidental findings, abdominal pain, or mass effects [1, 2]. The typical imaging characteristic is a mass composed of both cystic and solid components surrounded by a well-defined capsule without involvement of the main pancreatic duct [3, 4]. However, the radiologic appearance of an SPN can also have a completely cystic or purely solid appearance; thus, it can be misdiagnosed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or undefined cystic tumors of the pancreas [3].

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is extremely unusual as the first presentation of an SPN [2]. In our patient, the tumor invaded the adjacent duodenum and caused a giant ulcer with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. SPN present a low malignancy potential and often cause few symptoms, with abdominal pain being the most common [1]. Notably, SPN may be incidentally found by imaging performed for nonpancreatic indications in up to one third of cases [2]. Most patients have localized disease with benign behavior; however, up to 10% of tumors have the potential for local invasion and metastases [2, 4]. Unfortunately, there are no clear factors for predicting poor outcomes.

In contrast to other pancreatic cystic neoplasms, for which periodic surveillance might be considered, the primary treatment for SPN is surgical resection at the time of diagnosis. Unlike pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the reported 5-year survival rate is over 98% after pancreatectomy [4]. Patients with a surgically resected SPN should have yearly surveillance via imaging for at least 5 years, although recurrence is uncommon [2, 4].

The patient in this case remained asymptomatic with no disease recurrence at her 18-month follow-up. Clinicians must be aware that the evaluation of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a giant duodenal ulcer and an extrinsic mass effect noted on the duodenum should include cross-sectional images of the abdomen. In this case, the finding of a large well-encapsulated pancreatic solid and cystic mass on abdominal imaging was suggestive of a pancreatic neoplasm diagnosis, including an SPN.

In this setting, surgical resection must be performed, and an excellent prognosis with minimal recurrence after resection may be expected.

References

1. Lanke G, Ali FS, Lee JH. Clinical update on the management of pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Sep;10(9):145-55. [ Links ]

2. Law JK, Ahmed A, Singh VK, Akshintala VS, Olson MT, Raman SP, et al. A systematic review of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms: are these rare lesions? Pancreas. 2014 Apr;43(3):331-7. [ Links ]

3. Zaheer A, Pokharel SS, Wolfgang C, Fishman EK, Horton KM. Incidentally detected cystic lesions of the pancreas on CT: review of literature and management suggestions. Abdom Imaging. 2013 Apr;38(2):331-41. [ Links ]

4. Elta GH, Enestvedt BK, Sauer BG, Lennon AM. ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cysts. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr;113(4):464-79. [ Links ]

1Statement of Ethics Informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of their information and imaging.

Funding Sources The authors have no funding sources to declare.

Received: November 30, 2020; Accepted: January 21, 2021

Corresponding author Isaac Nilton Fernandes Oliveira Division of Gastroenterology University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora Av. Eugênio do Nascimento, s/n, Dom Bosco, Juiz de Fora, MG 36038-330 (Brazil) isaac.nilton@live.com

Conflict of Interest Statement There are no conflicts of interests.

Author Contributions R.J.S., I.N.F.O., T.C.R., L.A.C., F.H.L.P., and J.M.F.C. contributed equally to the conception and/or design of this work, acquisition and analysis of data, the first draft, critical comments, and final approval of the version to be submitted

Creative Commons License This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License