2017 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 63-66
Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a well-known, but uncommon disease that manifests as a heterogeneous, intense, round mass on enhanced computed tomography (CT). Herein, we report a case of pancreatic NET with unusual CT manifestation. A 66-year-old female was referred to our hospital for treatment of intermittent back pain. CT revealed a diffusely swollen pancreas from the head to tail. Imaging enhancement was weak except for a small area at the pancreatic head, and the lumen of the main pancreatic duct seemed narrowed. The entire pancreas showed accumulation of fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET), suggesting autoimmune pancreatitis; however, endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration revealed atypical cells with round nuclei in a rosette formation, resulting in a diagnosis of non-functioning NET. Pathological examination revealed tumor growth within the main pancreatic duct with large areas of necrosis, and an area of viable cells at the head of the pancreas. In conclusion, CT imaging depicted an NET within the main pancreatic duct as a diffusely enlarged pancreas mimicking autoimmune pancreatitis.
