A Solid Type Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasm Difficult to Differentiate from Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm—A Case Report—

Abstract

A 66-year-old man was referred to our department for an 8-mm mass in the head of the pancreas that was detected on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) for closer investigation due to worsening diabetes control. CT showed a well-enhanced tumor in the arterial phase that was obscured in the plain and other phases. Endoscopic ultrasonography guided-fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed, but no diagnosis was made. A non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor was considered based on the imaging findings. Since the tumor was compressing the main pancreatic duct and required pancreaticoduodenectomy for resection, it was decided to follow the patient given the size of tumor. However, the tumor increased from 8 to 15 mm in 1.5 years, and it was decided to perform pancreaticoduodenectomy. Macroscopically, no cystic lesion was observed, but the pathological findings showed many cystic lesions in the tumor. The final pathological diagnosis was a solid type pancreatic cystic neoplasm.

A case of solid type pancreatic cystic neoplasm that was difficult to differentiate from a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm preoperatively is reported.