Pancreatic tuberculosis. Report of two cases

We report two cases of pancreatic tuberculosis. The first patient had abdominal pain, jaundice and weight loss. Ultrasonography and CT scan suggested a pancreatic tumor. The second patient presented with abdominal pain without jaundice while CT scan showed a pancreatic mass. Diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis was made at laparotomy in the two cases. The two patients underwent hepatico-jejunostomy. The first one received antituberculous chemotherapy and completely recovered while the second died because of post-operative shock related to sepsis. Tuberculosis must be suspected in the presence of a pancreatic mass in endemic countries or in immunocompromised patients. Needle biopsy may in some cases lead to diagnosis and avoid laparotomy.     

Tuberculosis of the Pancreas: Report of Three Cases

Three cases of pancreatic tuberculosis are described. The first patient presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, anorexia., vomiting, hepatomegaly, and mass in the head of the pancreas, on computerized tomographic (CT) scan. The second patient presented with low grade fever, anorexia, and weight loss, and was investigated for gallbladder disease. The third patient presented with obstructive jaundice and mass lesion in the head of the pancreas. Two patients underwent laparotomy for suspected pancreatic tumors. The findings of pancreatic disease was incidental during laparotomy in the second patient. The histopathology revealed caseating granuloma in all of them. The first patient responded well to treatment, and the second patient stopped treatment after 2 months and is well. The third patient is being followed. If malignancy can be ruled out, tuberculosis should be considered in relevant geographic areas, and a tissue diagnosis should be made.     

Two cases of pancreatic tuberculosis in nonimmunocompromised patients: A diagnostic challenge and a rare cause of portal hypertension

Pancreatic tuberculosis is very rare, especially in immunocompetent patients, and represents a diagnostic challenge. We describe 2 cases of pancreatic tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma on CT scan. In the first case, explorative laparotomy revealed granulomatous inflammation suggestive of tuberculosis. Cultured smears from the pancreatic tail tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the patient responded well to antituberculous medication. In the second case, fine needle aspirate revealed tuberculosis. This case is unique with regard to development of portal hypertension in pancreatic tuberculosis. Antituberculous medication achieved little improvement, then the patient was lost to follow-up. In suspicion of carcinoma the patient underwent laparotomy in another hospital. Malignancy was excluded, and a purulent necrotic pancreas was resected. The patient finally improved without any antituberculous medication and remains well. Both patients were tested HIV-negative. We summarize the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a diagnostic dilemma, which should be considered in clinical practice.     

Tuberculosis of the pancreas

A 67-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of intermittent pain in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mass in the body of the pancreas, and angiography demonstrated encasement of the celiac trunk and splenic vein thrombosis. She was thought to have a pancreatic carcinoma and was surgically explored to obtain tissue for diagnosis. A hard and irregular tumor was found, and biopsies revealed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis. The final diagnosis was tuberculosis, and treatment with rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol was undertaken. One year later the patient is asymptomatic and new CT scan shows disappearance of the pancreatic mass.     

Isolated Tuberculosis of the Pancreas Masquerading as a Pancreatic Mass

A 65-yr-old woman presented For evaluation of a pancreatic mass. She had been Suffring from severe constitutional symptoms for 18 months; those symptoms included weight loss, increasing fatigue, night sweats. and recurrent fever attacks up to 40°C. Later, bluish subcutaneous nodules developed on her lower limbs. Laboratory tests yielded signs of chronic inflammation and impaired glucose tolerance with elevated serum insulin and glucagon concentrations. Skin biopsy revealed lobular panniculitis. Ultrasonography and a CT scan demonstrated enlargement of the pancreas, and endo-scopic retrograde pancreaticography disclosed displacement and stenosis of the main pancreatic duct. The patient was referred for explorative laparotomy, which was highly suggestive of a malignant pancreatic tumor. However, histological examination of the resected pancreatic and peri pancreatic mass revealed tuberculous pancreatitis. This form of isolated tuberculous pancreatitis, associated with lobular panniculitis and laboratory features consistent with a tumor of the endocrine pancreas, has not been reported previously. Active tuberculosis should be a leading differential diagnosis in a patient with an enlarged pancreas when the usual diagnostic reasoning does not yield conclusive results.     

Pancreatic tuberculosis in a human immunodeficiency virus positive patient：A case report

Despite the increased incidence of tuberculosis related to human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） in recent decades, pancreatic tuberculosis has rarely been described. We report a case of pancreatic tuberculosis in a 39-year- old African man who presented with progressive dysphagia, vomiting, weight loss and productive cough, accompanied by localized epigastric pain and one episode of melena. HIV-1 testing was positive and lymphocyte subset profile showed CD4 count of 9/mm3. Abdominal computed tomography （CT） scan with contrast revealed a cystic mass in the body of the pancreas, significant portal and retroperitoneal cystic adenopathy, and multiple cystic lesions in the spleen and liver. CT guided cyst aspiration and node biopsy detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient responded well on antituberculosis and antiretroviral therapy. Tuberculosis rarely involves the pancreas, probably due to the presence of pancreatic enzymes which interfere with the seeding of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pancreatic tuberculosis is considered to be the result of dissemination of the infection from nearby lymphatic nodes. Endoscopic ultrasound or CT guided fine needle aspiration for cytology is the recommended diagnostic technique. Although the prognosis is good with anti-tuberculosis treatment, it could be fatal without correct diagnosis and treatment. The clinician’s high index of suspicion of pancreatic tuberculosis and application of FNAB to obtain pathological evidence are extremely important to a correct diagnosis, especially in young HIV positive patients.     

Pancreatic tuberculosis: a rare cause of pseudoneoplastic obstructive jaundice

Isolated pancreatic tuberculosis is rare, and can mimic pancreatic carcinoma. We report a case of pseudoneoplastic pancreatic tuberculosis revealed by an obstructive jaundice in a 35-Year-old man. Surgical pancreatic histopathology showed a caseating granulomatous inflammation and diagnosis was confirmed by detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA using specific polymerase chain reaction-based assay (PCR). The patient was successfully treated with quadruple antituberculous therapy. In the context of the diagnostic work-up of a hypodense pancreatic mass, the diagnosis of tuberculosis relies on the presence of pancreatic caseating granulomas, that can be obtained by endosonography-guided biopsy, thus avoiding laparotomy.     

Role of endoscopic ultrasound guided FNAC in diagnosis of pancreatic TB presenting as mass lesion: a case report and review of literature

A 24-year-old male patient presented with abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, anorexia and weight loss. Ultrasound abdomen revealed pancreatic head mass with dilated common hepatic duct and intrahepatic bliliary radicles. CECT abdomen was suggestive of pancreatic head mass invading portal vein, splenic artery and hepatic artery. Provisional diagnosis of unresectable carcinoma head of pancreas was established. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was done, which was also suggestive of pancreatic head mass infiltrating portal vein. EUS guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was taken with an intent to obtain tissue diagnosis and to start palliative chemotherapy. EUS guided FNAC features were suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy, to which he responded and was cured. Pancreatic tuberculosis should be considered as a possibility, in pancreatic mass, especially in countries where TB is endemic and establishing its diagnosis with the aid of FNAC can save trauma of major surgery to the patient, which prompted us to report this case.     

Solitary pancreatic tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients mimicking pancreatic carcinoma

In this study, two cases of biopsy-proven pancreatic tuberculosis are reported. The patients presented with fever, anorexia, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. A differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin was conducted. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic mass image in the pancreatic head in one patient, and a hypodense lesion in the pancreatic head in the other. The first patient was diagnosed by a wedge biopsy specimen obtained in the exploratory laparotomy. The other patient was diagnosed by percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Both patients were successfully treated with quadruple antituberculous therapy for 12 months. We concluded that especially in young patients who present with a mass in the pancreas, pancreatic tuberculosis should be considered among the differential diagnoses, particularly in developing countries and immunosuppressed individuals.     

Pancreatic tuberculosis: an elusive diagnosis

BackgroundPancreatic tuberculosis is a rare disease. Its presenting features are usually vague and non-specific, while the radiological features mimic pancreatic malignancy in many cases and pancreatitis in others. Ultrasound- or CT-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or biopsy may show caseating granulomatous inflammation but microbiological confirmation may not always be possible. Laparotomy may be required if other investigations prove inconclusive. The response to treatment is good.Case outlinesWe report two young men with pancreatic tuberculosis. The diagnosis was obtained by FNAC in one and laparotomy in the other. Each patient responded to anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and is now asymptomatic.ConclusionTuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an obscure pancreatic mass, and the condition is readily curable.     

胰腺结核九例的MDCT特征和误诊分析

目的 分析胰腺结核(pancreatic tuberculoses,PT)的多层螺旋CT(MDCT)征象,以期提高对该病的认识和诊断正确率.方法 收集2003年至2009年行MDCT检查并最终确诊为PT的9例患者,其中2例行MDCT血管成像.分析PT的MDCT特征性表现,并与手术及病理结果进行比较.结果 MDCT诊断为胰腺癌1例、囊腺癌1例、囊腺瘤2例、假性囊肿1例、胰腺癌伴后腹膜淋巴结转移2例、淋巴瘤2例.通过病理证实,9例均为PT,误诊率达100%.PT常表现为胰头肿块,亦可累及体尾部或整个胰腺.MDCT呈现等或略低密度的囊实性肿块,偶见钙化,增强后轻度至中度环形强化.通常不伴有胰管扩张,但常伴有后腹膜或邻近淋巴结肿大,且肿大淋巴结亦呈环形强化.有时伴有腹部其他脏器结核.结论 环形强化的肿块不伴有胰管扩张,同时伴有环形强化的肿大淋巴结为PT特征性的MDCT表现.     

Diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis by cerebral computerized tomography.

We report a case of miliary tuberculosis with symptoms and signs of an intracranial mass. These were found to be multiple tuberculomas by computerized axial tomography (CT scan). We review the pathophysiologic features of intracranial tuberculomas. The CT scan allows a rapid and sensitive diagnosis of intracranial tuberculosis without utilizing invasive neurodiagnostic techniques. The value of using CT scans following treatment was confirmed.     

Differentiation of a pancreatic metastasis of a renal cell carcinoma from a primary pancreatic carcinoma by echo-enhanced power doppler sonography

In a 70-year-old patient who had been treated for a renal cell carcinoma, a pancreatic mass was detected on CT scan. To differentiate a pancreatic metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma from a pancreatic carcinoma, an echo-enhanced power Doppler sonography was performed. The pancreatic mass demonstrated a strong echo enhancement, proving its hypervascularization. This behaviour favoured the diagnosis of a pancreatic metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma which was confirmed by histology. The principles and the role of echo-enhanced power Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis between a primary pancreatic carcinoma and a metastasis of a renal carcinoma in the pancreas are discussed. We conclude that this technique can provide an important contribution to the diagnosis in this special instance. However, histology is the standard in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumours.     

PANCREATIC TUBERCULOSIS AND ITS DIAGNOSIS BY ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY: REPORT OF TWO CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Mass lesions in the head of the pancreas are generally malignant and it is difficult to diagnose benign lesions preoperatively. We describe two patients with pancreatic tuberculosis, who presented with abdominal pain, jaundice and a pancreatic head mass, mimicking cancer. The correct diagnosis could be made by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in both patients, precluding the need for surgery. Both patients responded well to anti‐tuberculosis treatment. We conclude that EUS with guided FNA is a useful modality to diagnose pancreatic tuberculosis.     

A case of mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas discovered in an asymptomatic subject

A 50-yr-old Japanese man was found to have a hypoechoic mass 3 cm in diameter in the pancreatic head on an ultrasonography (US) examination without symptoms. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a 3-cm solid mass in the pancreatic head, and it was more clearly delineated as a low-density area on enhanced CT. Angiography showed a tumorlike stain, 3 cm in size, in the pancreatic head. The preoperative diagnosis was “special type of pancreatic tumor such as acinar cell carcinoma or non-functioning islet cell tumor.” The patient was treated by pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron-microscopic studies of the surgical specimen led to a definitive diagnosis of a mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma. The patient is currently well, with no signs of tumor recurrence, 18 mo after the operation. Our search of the Japanese and English-language literature retrieved only 15 welldocumented cases of mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma. Imaging in the reported cases revealed features of either acinar cell carcinoma or islet cell tumor, or both, which can may be detected even in small tumors more easily than conventional invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas because the detectability of this rare tumor on US and CT seems to be good.     

A case of mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas discovered in an asymptomatic subject.

A 50-yr-old Japanese man was found to have a hypoechoic mass 3 cm in diameter in the pancreatic head on an ultrasonography (US) examination without symptoms. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a 3-cm solid mass in the pancreatic head, and it was more clearly delineated as a low-density area on enhanced CT. Angiography showed a tumorlike stain, 3 cm in size, in the pancreatic head. The preoperative diagnosis was "special type of pancreatic tumor such as acinar cell carcinoma or non-functioning islet cell tumor." The patient was treated by pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron-microscopic studies of the surgical specimen led to a definitive diagnosis of a mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma. The patient is currently well, with no signs of tumor recurrence, 18 mo after the operation. Our search of the Japanese and English-language literature retrieved only 15 well-documented cases of mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma. Imaging in the reported cases revealed features of either acinar cell carcinoma or islet cell tumor, or both, which can may be detected even in small tumors more easily than conventional invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas because the detectability of this rare tumor on US and CT seems to be good.     

Diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis by combined, contrast-enhanced sonography and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

A 79-year-old woman complaining of epigastric pain was examined by her local physician, who found an abdominal mass and referred the patient to our department. Abdominal plain computed tomography revealed a mass, 50 mm in size, with slight calcification on the ventral side of the head of the pancreas. On abdominal ultrasound, the mass lesion consisted of an aggregation of hypoechoic masses, with a heterogeneous hyperechoic region at its center. On contrast ultrasonography, only the hyperechoic region was stained. ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) revealed FDG accumulation in the same region. It was difficult to differentiate between a malignant pancreatic tumor and an inflammatory disease on imaging, but since QuantiFERON TB2G testing was positive, pancreatic tuberculosis was suspected, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) was performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Samples from the hypoechoic region consisted of necrotic tissue, while those from the hyperechoic region consisted of pancreatic tissue together with granulation tissue. BCG immunostaining was positive, and a diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis was made. If EUS-FNA is performed on stained areas seen on contrast ultrasonography, this will probably enable a more accurate diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis with low invasiveness.     

The pancreas and tuberculosis: a diagnostic challenge.

Pancreatic tuberculosis is often mistaken for malignancy and can pose a diagnostic challenge. A high degree of suspicion is necessary to diagnose this condition which responds well to anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT). Fine-needle aspiration cytology helps to differentiate malignancy from treatable conditions like tuberculosis. Records of four patients treated for pancreatic tuberculosis between 1997 and 2006 were studied. All patients had a pancreatic mass which was suspected to be malignant at imaging. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was established by FNAC in one case and after laparotomy in one; two had tuberculosis of other systems. All showed good response to ATT which included resolution of the pancreatic mass over mean follow up of 2 years. We suggest that all inoperable masses of the pancreas should be subjected to FNAC to rule out treatable conditions like pancreatic tuberculosis.     

肾结核CT检查的临床意义

目的 探讨CT检查对肾结核患者的临床意义。方法 回顾性分析42例肾结核患者的CT及临床资料（其中16例有IVP结果）。结果 单侧肾结核34例，双侧8例，即患肾共50个。典型CT表现有肾实质内围绕肾盂排列的多个囊状低密度区相邻肾皮质变薄（34／50），肾盂输尿管管壁增厚及管腔扩张积水（22／50），肾实质钙化（8／50）。不典型表现有肾实质内单或多发直径小于1cm左右略低于密度结节（6／50）。30例增强CT扫描示，患肾有不同程度强化，其CT上升值在20－120HU之间。腹腔大量淋巴结钙化者2例；合并肝、脾结核4例；腰椎结核骨质破坏并椎旁肿肿6例；合并后腹壁结核脓肿1例。结论 CT检查不仅可用于肾结核的诊断，同时可明确患肾功能、破坏程度、患肾周围情况以及是否合并腹腔其它脏器结核，为临床提供更多更有价值的参考资料。     

Negative predictive value of endoscopic ultrasound in a large series of patients with a clinical suspicion of pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to be very accurate in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. The accuracy of EUS in predicting the absence of pancreatic cancer in a large series of patients with a clinical suspicion of pancreatic cancer is not well documented. Our aim was to determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of EUS in patients with a suspicion of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed, from our EUS database (between January 1999 and March 2003), 693 patients who were suspected of having pancreatic cancer and had EUS examinations. A total of 155 patients were found by EUS to have a completely normal pancreas. Indications for EUS in these patients included: weight loss/abdominal pain; and/or pancreatic enlargement/fullness on computed tomography (CT); and/or bile duct/pancreatic duct narrowing on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; and/or an elevated CA 19-9. Follow-up information was obtained in 135/155 (87%) patients from patient phone calls and/or physician visits and/or CT scan. The mean follow-up period was 25 months (range 8-48 months). RESULTS: No patients developed pancreatic cancer during the follow-up period. Following the EUS examination, no work-up was required in 119/135 (88%) of patients. CT scan was performed in 16 patients at 6 months post-procedure, none of which showed a pancreatic mass. The NPV of EUS in excluding pancreatic cancer in those patients with follow-up was 100%. CONCLUSION: EUS is highly specific in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with a NPV of 100% and obviates the need for further diagnostic testing. In patients with a clinical suspicion of pancreatic cancer, EUS should be considered as the initial diagnostic modality.