Tuberculous lymphadenitis as a cause of obstructive jaundice： A case report and literature review

Obstructive jaundice secondary to tuberculosis （TB） is extremely rare. It can be caused by TB enlargement of the head of the pancreas, TB lymphadenitis, TB stricture of the biliary tree, or a TB mass of the retroperitoneum. A 29-year-old man with no previous history of TB presented with abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, malaise and weight loss. Ultrasonography （US）, computer tomography （CT） scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） were suggestive of a stenosis of the distal common bile duct （CBD） caused by a mass in the posterior head of the pancreas. Tumor markers, CEA and CA19-9 were within normal limits. At operation, an enlarged, centrally caseous lymph node of the posterior head of the pancreas was found, causing inflammatory stenosis and a fistula with the distal CBD. The lymph node was removed and the bile duct resected and anastomosed with the Roux-en Y jejunal limb. Histology and PCR based-assay confirmed tuberculous lymphadenitis. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculous medication and remained well 2.5 years later. Though obstructive jaundice secondary to tuberculous lymphadenitis is rare, abdominal TB should be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunocompromised patients and in TB endemic areas. Any stenosis or fistulation into the CBD should also be taken into consideration, and biliary bypass surgery be performed to both relieve jaundice and prevent further stricture.     

Chest wall tuberculoma with tumor-like appearance

We report a rare case of chest tuberculoma with tumor-like appearance of which diagnosis was made by surgery. A 40-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a complaint of a right chest mass. Her past history was pulmonary tuberculosis. One year prior to this presentation, she was treated. Chest MRI revealed a solid and oval mass in the right lateral chest wall. Then, surgical resection was performed. Histopathological examinations revealed caseous necrosis, epithelioid cell granuloma, and multinucleated Langhans' giant cells, but no neoplastic cell was found. We confirmed that the mass was clinically compatible with tuberculoma. The characteristic presentation of the chest wall tuberculosis is abscess, which is frequently cystic, doughy, or soft. However, there is no report with chest wall tuberculoma as the initial presentation of tuberculous lesion arising in chest wall in a review of the English literature.     

A case of macrocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas

Summary A case of macrocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is presented, and literature is reviewed. A 35-yr-old woman presented with mild upper abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and an abdominal computed tomography revealed a multiloculated and calcified cyst in the body of the pancreas. A T1-weighted image, using magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a low-intensity mutiloculated, pancreatic mass. In contrast, T2-imaging of the tumor showed a high-intensity mass. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed no contact between the main pancreatic duct and the tumor. The preoperative diagnosis was a mucinous cystic neoplasm. Tumor enucleation was performed. Subsequent microscopic examination of this tumor suggested the diagnosis of a macrocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas.     

Serous cystic neoplasms of the whole pancreas in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease

We describe here a case of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease with a serous cystic neoplasm of the whole pancreas. The patient was a 35-year-old woman suffering from a palpable abdominal tumor. She had a history of hemangioblastomas of the cerebellum. CT revealed large solid tumors in the pancreatic head and body, and multiple cystic lesions in the whole pancreas as well as a right renal tumor. When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed, bleeding from the duodenal papilla was detected. Since she had some distinguishing clinical features, the diagnosis of VHL disease was made. The preoperative diagnosis of the pancreatic lesion was serous cystic neoplasms with hemosuccus pancreaticus and total pancreatectomy was performed. Histological examination of the specimen revealed serous cystic neoplasms which occupied the entire pancreas. VHL cases operated on for serous cystic neoplasms of the entire pancreas are very rare.     

Rapid growth of mucinous cystic adenoma of the pancreas following pregnancy

A 25-yr-old woman delivered a healthy child by cesarean section. At 8 mo postpartum, she became aware of an upper abdominal tumor. Abdominal computed tomography and upper abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large cystic mass in the body of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed no connection between the main pancreatic duct and the cystic lesion. The patient underwent tumor resection at 11 mopostpartum. Pathological examination of the tumor revealed mucin-producing columnar epithelial cells lining the cystic wall with ovarian-type stromal tissue and no findings indicative of malignancy, giving a diagnosis of mucinous cystic adenoma of the pancreas. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive staining for progesterone receptor but not for estrogen receptor in the stromal cell nuclei. Postpartum rapid growth of a benign mucinous cystic neoplasm might be linked to the production of female sex hormones during lactation.     

Pancreatic endocrine neoplasm can mimic serous cystadenoma

A 57-yr-old female patient was referred to our hospital with a cystic lesion of the head of the pancreas that had been noted on abdominal computed tomography (CT). Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a 3.0 cm rounded mass in the head of the pancreas. EUS images showed that the tumor had a solid component consisting of multiple microcysts separated by septae and a cystic component consisting of a macrocystic lesion. Thus, the tumor was suspected of being a serous cystadenoma (SCA). However, the histopathological diagnosis based on endoscopic ultrasound- guided fine-needle-aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) was that of a pancreatic endocrine neoplasm (PEN). Surgical resection was performed. Despite having very similar macroscopic findings to SCA, microscopic examination revealed that the patient's tumor was definitely a PEN. This case suggests that it is very difficult to distinguish PENs from SCAs based solely on imaging methods. EUS-FNAB is essential for determining the appropriate therapeutic strategy, as it provides the histopathological diagnosis.     

Hypoplastic pancreas and ectopic spleen as an abdominal mass: a case report.

We report a 35-year-old female patient who presented with pseudotumoral abdominal mass with final diagnosis of ectopic spleen and hypoplastic pancreas. Clinical diagnosis is difficult due to lack of symptoms. Laboratory findings are commonly non-specific; diagnosis can be confirmed by imaging studies. This patient complained only of abdominal painless mass. The laboratory findings were all within normal limits. Diagnostic images revealed ectopic spleen and absence of the dorsal pancreas. This interesting and rare combination has not been reported previously in the literature.     

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the thoracic spine: paradoxical response to antituberculous therapy

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord (IETSC) is a rare complication of tuberculosis, which can occur as a paradoxical response to antituberculous therapy. A 46-year-old woman with tuberculosis meningitis developed an acute sensory disturbance and paraplegia eight weeks after the antituberculous treatment was started. MRI revealed a cystic lesion at the Th 2 and 3 vertebrae levels, and continuous dural thickening. Laminectomy was performed; soft granulomas were unexpectedly observed inside the dura matter. After the operation, the patient experienced progressive improvement in motor strength. IETSC should be known as rare but possible complication of tuberculous meningitis.     

Papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: presentation and natural history in two cases.

Two young women, one white and one Chinese, with the rare but increasingly recognised papillary and cystic neoplasm of the pancreas are reported. The initial symptom in both was non-specific abdominal pain which, after investigation, was found to be caused by a pancreatic tumour. One patient did not come to surgery until five years after the initial diagnosis when she developed jaundice. In the five year interval between diagnosis and the development of jaundice computed tomography showed no change in the size (20 cm) of the pancreatic mass. Histology after resection, however, showed signs of lymphatic invasion. Cystic neoplasm of the pancreas can thus be regarded as an indolent, very slow growing tumour with potential for local invasion and hence metastatic spread.     

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.     

Secondary pancreatic involvement by a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. More than 50% of patients have some site of extra-nodal involvement at diagnosis, including the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. However, a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis is rare. A 57-year-old female presented with abdominal pain and matted lymph nodes in her axilla. She was admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed diffusely enlarged pancreas due to infiltrative neoplasm and peripancreatic lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the axillary mass revealed a large B-cell lymphoma. The patient was classified as stage Ⅳ, based on the Ann Arbor Classification, and as having a high-risk lymphoma, based on the International Prognostic Index. She was started on chemotherapy with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). Within a week after chemotherapy, the patient’s abdominal pain resolved. Follow-up CT scan of the abdomen revealed a marked decrease in the size of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymphadenopathy. A literature search revealed only seven cases of primary involvement of the pancreas in B-cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis. However, only one case of secondary pancreatic involvement by B-cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis has been published. Our case appears to be the second report of such a manifestation. Both cases responded well to chemotherapy.     

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a case report.

A 29-year-old woman presented with an abdominal mass existing for 10 years and abdominal pain for one year. Physical examination revealed an abdominal mass about 10 cm in diameter between the epigastrium and right upper quadrant. Abdominal ultrasonography and multi-slice computerized tomography showed a well-demarcated solid mass containing cystic and calcified areas (97-80 mm in diameter) located on the head and uncinate process of the pancreas. Percutaneous ultrasonographyguided tru-cut biopsy was performed and the pathologic diagnosis of biopsy material was solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. The patient then underwent surgery and exploration revealed an encapsulated mass of 10 cm in diameter that was retracting the portal vein and was adherent to mesentery of the transverse colon. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed preserving the pylorus. Histopathologic diagnosis of the mass supported the tru-cut biopsy findings. At 12th months of follow-up, physical, laboratory and radiological examinations were all normal. Although solid pseudopapillary tumor is a rarely seen low-grade malignant tumor, it is important to differentiate it from other pancreatic tumors because of its benign course.     

Hemosuccus pancreaticus caused by a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a gastrointestinal hemorrhage through the main pancreatic duct. Here, we report a rare case of hemosuccus pancreaticus due to a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. A 62-year-old woman who had been followed for a branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm visited our emergency room due to severe abdominal pain and bloody discharge. Computed tomography revealed that the pancreatic cyst increased the tension of the wall and a high-density area indicative of bleeding into the cyst was observed. Endoscopy showed opening of and hemorrhaging from the papilla of Vater. The patient was diagnosed with hemosuccus pancreaticus caused by hemorrhaging into the cyst from the branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Based on this diagnosis, elective distal pancreatectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was a mucinous cystic neoplasm with intermediate-grade dysplasia based upon the pathological findings that fibrous ovarian-type stroma existed abundantly and the stroma cells were positive for progesterone receptor and inhibin. Hemosuccus pancreaticus caused by a mucinous cystic neoplasm is extremely rare and there has been only one case reported to date. In conclusion, it should be recognized that pancreatic cystic neoplasms including mucinous cystic neoplasms may cause hemosuccus pancreaticus.     

Neuroendocrine neoplasm of pancreas with cystic degeneration mimicking mucinous cystic neoplasm

Endoscopic ultrasound is increasingly being used for evaluation of pancreatic diseases and pancreatic tumors. Among various pancreatic cystic lesions, cystic degeneration of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is of the challenge in making diagnosis. Although unique characteristic of each type of pancreatic cystic lesions has been proposed abundantly, typical morphology of cystic degeneration of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is still unclear. We, herein, reported a case of 66-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have a cystic lesion in the tail of pancreas upon screening transabdominal ultrasonography. A well-defined cystic lesion with rim calcification was noted on subsequent abdominal computed tomography. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a markedly thick-wall cystic lesion containing solid nodule inside which was not enhanced following contrast-enhanced study. A mucinous cystic neoplasm was suspected and the patient was proceeded with distal pancreatectomy. A definite diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasm was confirmed after staining with synaptophysin and chromogranin A. We performed a meticulous review on current literatures focusing on endoscopic characteristics of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms with cystic degeneration.     

Localized type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis superimposed upon preexisting intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

A 70-year-old woman was found to have 2 cystic lesions in the head of the pancreas on abdominal ultrasonography during a routine medical examination.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed multilocular cysts in the head of the pancreas without dilation of the main pancreatic duct.The patient was followed-up semiannually with imaging studies for suspected branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN).At 3 years after initial presentation,hypoechoic lesions were observed around each pancreatic cyst by EUS.Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high-intensity regions corresponding to these lesions.Therefore,a diagnosis of invasive carcinoma derived from IPMN could not be excluded,and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.The macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen showed whitish solid masses in the head of the pancreas,with multilocular cysts within each mass.Microscopically,each solid mass consisted of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes and plasma cells.Furthermore,immunochemical staining revealed immunoglobulin G4-positive cells,and many obliterating phlebitides were observed.The cysts consisted of mucus-producing epithelial cells and showed a papillary growth pattern.Based on these findings,we diagnosed multiple localized type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis occurring only in the vicinity of the branch ducttype IPMN.     

Eosinophilic pancreatitis mimicking pancreatic neoplasia.

Eosinophilic pancreatitis (EP) is a rare disease. It typically occurs in the setting of either eosinophilic gastroenteritis or the hypereosinophilic syndrome. Isolated eosinophilic infiltration of the pancreas is less common. EP usually presents as a pancreatic tumour with abdominal pain and/or obstructive jaundice. The diagnosis is often not made until after pancreatic resection under suspicion of a pancreatic tumour. The case of a 14-year-old boy whose initial presentation was suggestive of a pancreatic tumour is reported. Radiological evaluation revealed a pancreatic mass suggestive of a pancreatic tumour obstructing the duodenum and common bile duct. The patient underwent surgery and a gastrojejunal anostomosis, tube cholecystostomy and biopsy were performed with no postoperative complications. The diagnosis of EP was established after surgical biopsy. The biopsy specimen revealed prominent eosinophilic infiltration. Serum immunoglobulin E levels were elevated. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone (40 mg/day). After two months of oral steroid therapy, clinical manifestations rapidly improved and peripheral eosinophilia subsided. Computed tomography scan revealed remission of the pancreatic mass-like lesion.     

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the pancreas

Summary We describe a rare example of inflammatory pseudotumor of the pancreas in a 42-yr-old woman, which developed following chemotherapy for lymphoma of the uterine cervix. The patient had developed fatigue, weight loss abdominal pain, and anemia; abdominal CT scan showed a large mass in the pancreas. Examination of the resected specimen revealed a fleshy, well-circumscribed, 7-cm mass., Histologically, there was a hypocellular to moderately hypercellular, bland spindle-cell proliferation admixed with a prominent infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells. The spindle cells were vimentin positive but negative for muscle markers; electron microscopy revealed only fibroblastic cells. DNA analysis revealed a diploid population with low S-phase fraction. The patient was well at 6-mo follow-up. It is important for the pathologist to be aware of the existence of this entity in unusual locations such as the pancreas so as to avoid a mistaken diagnosis of malignancy.     

Papillary-cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

Summary Conclusion The rate of growth of a papillary-cystic tumor of the pancreas seemed to be enhanced by the concurrence of pregnancy. Progesterone receptors in the tumor were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and by molecular biology methods. Background Papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas is extremely rare, occurring predominantly young females. Owing to the low frequency of the tumor, there is scarce information about the conditions that promote tumor growth. Methods In this report, we present the temporal association between very rapid growth of a papillary-cystic neoplasm and pregnancy. Clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biology analyses were performed. Results A 21-yr-old woman was admitted because of recurrent epigastric abdominal pain associated with episodes of nausea and vomiting, and a history of an abdominal tumor of about 50 mm near the head of the pancreas, detected by ultrasound. On admission the patient had a flat, nontender abdomen without palpable masses. Laboratory analysis including hematologic and hepatic tests were strictly normal; only CA 19-9 (42 U/mL, normal 37 U/mL) was above normal values. One week after admission, an abdominal computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan revealed an 81.6-mm cystic mass localized in the head of the pancreas, and 1 wk later, in a laparotomy, a papillary-cystic neoplasm of 120 mm, limited to the head of the pancreas, was found. Three months later, in a routine follow-up visit, an 18-wk pregnancy was clinically diagnosed and confirmed by ultrasound exploration. The pregnancy continued without complications, and a normal male infant (3.7 kg) was born at 39 wk of gestation, by vaginal delivery. Eighteen months after tumor resection, the patient was asymptomatic and her child was in good health. We propose that progesterone affects tumor growth.     

肠系膜淋巴结结核的诊断和外科治疗

目的评价肠系膜淋巴结结核的诊断，手术治疗指征和效果。方法回顾性分析１９７６年７月～１９９７年７月两个医院手术治疗的肠系膜淋巴结结核５９例。结果术前确诊１４例，手术治疗并发症少，无手术死亡，效果良好。结论因肠系膜淋巴结结核患者临床表现无特异性，应结合实验室（如聚合酶链反应）、腹腔镜、ＣＴ和Ｂ超检查等结果综合分析。因肠系膜淋巴结结核引起急、慢性肠梗阻不能缓解、消化道出血，肠穿孔或肠瘘，腹腔巨大结核性脓肿不能控制或脓肿穿破腹壁形成窦道等需外科治疗。因有腹部包块诊断不明或不能除外肿瘤时亦需行剖腹术。术后应继续抗结核治疗     

Hypoglycemia, a rare presentation of a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: a case report

A solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is an uncommon and 'enigmatic' pancreatic neoplasm of low malignant potential generally occurring in young women. The pathologic features of this tumor are characteristic, and adequate surgical intervention is associated with an excellent prognosis. We report the first case of combined solid pseudopapillary neoplasm and islet cell hyperplasia of the pancreas in the pediatric age group. A 16-year-old Saudi female presented to the Emergency Room with a history of frequent attacks of hypoglycemia. Radiologically, a mass in the tail of the pancreas was identified. The pre-operative diagnosis of insulinoma was suggested, and en bloc distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. A solid pseudopapillary neoplasm and islet cell hyperplasia of the tail of the pancreas was diagnosed by routine histology and by immunohistochemistry. The patient was treated successfully and is now in good health with regular follow-up for the last 13 months. In the pediatric age group, these tumors are very rare and can present as repeated episodes of hypoglycemia. This association sheds light on the histogenesis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas and also allows appropriate and prompt management to be undertaken by the clinicians.