The cell block method (pipette-wafer method) is a useful tool for making a definitive diagnosis of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas—A case report—

Abstract

Backgroud : The pipette-wafer method, easy and useful for preparing a cell block, can provide many histological specimens for various stainings. We report a case of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) that was diagnosed using this method.
Case : Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of a pancreatic mass in a man in his 50s was found to show numerous tumor cells. Small round tumor cells distributed as single cells or clusters of cells arranged in a pseudopapillary or radial pattern around the capillary stroma were found. Since SPN was suspected, we prepared a cell block by pipette-wafer method. Histologically, the tumor cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm were arranged in clusters. Immunohistochemically, these cells were positive for vimentin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, CD10, progesterone receptor, synaptophysin (partially), and beta-catenin. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of SPN.
Conclusion : The pipette-wafer method is an important tool to make a definitive diagnosis of SPN as it provides many histological specimens for various stainings, including immunohistochemistry.