Epidermoid cyst originating from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen

We report a rare case of an epidermoid cyst originating from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen, in a 40-year-old Japanese man with no clinical symptoms. A cystic tumor in the pancreatic tail was detected incidentally by abdominal ultrasonography. The patient was referred to the KKR Tachikawa Hospital for further examination of the tumor. Preoperative imaging findings suggested that the tumor was an epidermoid cyst originating from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. On both pre-and post-contrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance images, the solid compartment of the tumor had the same X-ray attenuation and intensity as the spleen. Upon surgical excision, the mass consisted of solid and cystic components that were macroscopically evident on the preoperative images. Microscopic analysis revealed that the solid component was an accessory spleen in the pancreatic tail, whereas the cystic component was lined with stratified epithelium representative of an epidermoid cyst. This is the thirteenth report (in English) of an epidermoid cyst originating from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen, and the first case to be diagnosed prior to surgery.     

Laparoscopic resection of epidermoid cyst arising from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen: a case report with a review of the literature

We describe a rare case of epidermoid cyst arising in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen that presented as a cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas, and for which laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed successfully. A 36-year-old woman with a cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas, which had been discovered incidentally at a medical checkup, was referred to our department for further examination. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography and positron emission tomography demonstrated a multilocular cyst in the tail of the pancreas without any evidence of malignancy, although differential diagnosis was extremely difficult because of the neoplasm-like appearance of the lesion. Therefore, we performed laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy under a preoperative diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm. Postoperative pathologic examination demonstrated an epidermoid cyst arising from a heterotopic spleen within the pancreas. This is the first report of successful laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for an epidermoid cyst arising in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. One virtually has no chance to diagnose an epidermoid cyst in an accessory spleen on the basis of preoperative diagnostic workup, and consequently the type of surgical resection (open vs. laparoscopic) would be conditioned by factors other than the clinical entity suspected at the preoperative period.     

Epidermoid cyst in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen: a case report

Ectopic splenic tissue in the abdominal cavity is a common entity, with a reported incidence of 10% in the general population. However, an intrapancreatic accessory spleen is a rare disease, and moreover cyst formation in it is exceedingly rare. A 58-year-old woman with a 25-mm multilocular cyst in the tail of the pancreas detected incidentally by ultrasonography was admitted for further evaluation. Because malignancy could not be ruled out, a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. The cut surface of the surgical specimen showed a multilocular cyst surrounded by brown solid tissue resembling normal spleen. Pathological examination revealed it was stratified squamous epithelium and was surrounded by splenic tissue. The final pathological diagnosis was epidermoid cyst in an accessory spleen in the pancreas. This cyst has no characteristic features on diagnostic imaging. Consequently, it is not possible to make a definite preoperative diagnosis in most cases. Epidermoid cyst in intrapancreatic splenic tissue is another lesion to be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tail tumors.     

Epidermoid Cyst of the Spleen

Background

The aim of this study is to elucidate the characteristics, clinical presentations, and management of epidermoid cysts located in the spleen and the intrapancreatic accessory spleen.

Methods

Data pooled for analysis were collected from epidermoid cyst cases encountered in the study institution and sporadic case reports obtained from the English literature.

Results

There were 115 cases of epidermoid cyst. Seventy eight (67.8 %) were found in the spleen, whereas 37 (32.2 %) were found in the intrapancreatic accessory spleen. Comparing between the two groups, the splenic group showed female predominance, younger age, and larger cystic size. For symptoms, left upper abdominal mass (57.7 %) and left upper abdominal pain (39.0 %) were more commonly found in the spleen group. Meanwhile, the intrapancreatic accessory spleen group had higher percentage of asymptomatic cysts (59.5 %). As for surgical indication, majority of patients in the spleen group underwent surgery for symptomatic relief (75.4 %), while the intrapancreatic accessory spleen group underwent surgery mainly for suspicious malignancy (90.0 %).

Conclusions

Surgical treatment for epidermoid cysts of the spleen is considered the optimal treatment for either alleviating the symptoms caused by a bulky cyst or for determining the histopathologic nature of a suspicious malignant cystic neoplasm.     

机器人辅助腹腔镜切除盆腔表皮样囊肿1例报告并文献复习

目的:结合文献探讨腹膜后表皮样囊肿的诊治方法,介绍机器人辅助腹腔镜切除盆腔腹膜后巨大肿瘤的手术经验。方法:为1例青年男性盆腔腹膜后巨大肿瘤患者行机器人辅助腹腔镜手术切除,并结合文献探讨腹膜后表皮样囊肿的诊治方法。结果:患者行机器人辅助腹腔镜下表皮样囊肿切除术,手术完整切除肿瘤,手术时间1.5 h、出血量约8 ml。术后病理诊断为表皮样囊肿。术后1周出院,随访8个月未见囊肿复发及转移。结论:腹膜后表皮样囊肿在临床症状上缺乏特异性,需要与脊索瘤、畸胎瘤等相鉴别;因有感染、恶变的倾向,治疗上应手术切除。机器人辅助腹腔镜手术治疗位于盆腔的腹膜后巨大肿瘤具有良好的适应性。     

Adenocarcinoma in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen: Report of a case

We report a case of adenocarcinoma in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS). A 78-year-old woman presented with abdominal discomfort, and investigations revealed an elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, to 161.8 U/ml (normal, <37 U/ml). Ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous echogenic tumor with a vascular hilum. Computed tomography showed a heterogeneously enhanced tumor, 8 cm in diameter, adjacent to the pancreatic body, accompanying a feeding artery arising from the splenic artery, and a drainage vein flowing into the splenic vein. We performed a distal pancreaticosplenectomy. The tumor was surrounded by a fibrous capsule and was in contact with the pancreatic body. Histological examinations revealed invasive growth of adenocarcinoma in a structure identical to the spleen. The results of both radiological and histological examinations suggested that the tumor originated from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. Extensive examinations revealed no other malignancy, based on which we concluded that the adenocarcinoma was primary. Surgical intervention is strongly recommended when a malignancy in an IPAS cannot be ruled out.     

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen: a differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumour

BACKGROUND: According to autoptic studies, accessory spleens may be found in 10-15% of the population and most of them are usually located at or near the splenic hilum. Only in 1-2% they are located in the pancreatic tail. We report a rare case of intrapancreatic accessory spleen which radiologically mimicked a tumor in the tail of the pancreas. PATIENT: A 54-year-old man was diagnosed with a tumor at the pancreatic tail. In the preoperative computed tomography (CT), there was a lesion (2.6 cm in diameter) in the pancreatic tail and two locoregional lesions (1 and 1.5 cm in diameter), which had intensive contrast enhancement. The diagnosis of a nonfunctioning endocrine pancreatic tail carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was made. RESULTS: Intraoperative examination showed two accessory spleens nearby the pancreatic tail. As pancreatic cancer could not be excluded because of the local findings, an oncological left pancreatectomy was performed. Histological examination excluded cancer and revealed an intrapancreatic accessory spleen and two accessory spleens nearby the pancreatic tail. CONCLUSION: Intrapancreatic accessory spleen should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasm.     

Epithelial inclusion cyst arising within an intra-pancreatic splenunculus

INTRODUCTIONAn accessory spleen (splenunculus) may occur in up to 10% of the general population. However, an epithelial inclusion cyst originating within an intra-pancreatic splenunculus is an extremely rare finding, with only twenty-two previous cases described in medical literature.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 51-year-old male presented to our institution for investigation of altered bowel habit. Endoscopic ultrasound examination and CT scanning demonstrated an 18 mm cystic, well-demarcated lesion in the tail of the pancreas, resembling malignancy. Following laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, histological analysis confirmed epithelial inclusion cyst arising within an intra-pancreatic splenunculus.DISCUSSIONThe pre-operative radiological identification of such cystic pancreatic lesions is challenging. Surgical resection is usually performed for clinical suspicion of pancreatic malignancy.CONCLUSIONEpithelial inclusion cyst originating within an intra-pancreatic accessory spleen is an extremely rare finding, which can mimic malignancy. Nevertheless, it should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the tail of the pancreas.     

Accessory spleen masquerading as a pancreatic neoplasm

A patient with a pancreatic mass noted on a computed tomography scan was suspected of having a nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm. The eventual diagnosis of intrapancreatic accessory spleen was made by noninvasive means, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery.     

Laparoscopic Spleen-Preserving Pancreatic Tail Resection for an Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen Mimicking a Nonfunctioning Endocrine Tumor: Report of a Case

Laparoscopic surgery is now performed for several pancreatic disorders, such as benign tumors of the pancreatic body or tail, which are a good indication for laparoscopic resection. However, the risk of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy, performed laparoscopically or by open surgery, is a topic of debate. We report the case of a 61-year-old man in whom a routine follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan showed a solid, well-defined mass, 1.5cm in diameter, in the pancreatic tail. The mass was homogeneously enhanced from the early phase to the super-delayed phase on enhanced CT. We suspected a nonfunctioning endocrine tumor of the pancreas, and surgery was performed laparoscopically. After dissecting the pancreatic tail away from the splenic hilum and the splenic vessels, it was resected using only a linear stapler. The histological diagnosis was an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14, but was readmitted 6 days later because of a pancreatic fistula, which was treated by CT-guided percutaneous drainage.     

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen imitating a pancreatic neoplasm

Accessory spleens are present in 10% of population and are formed during embryonic development. Besides the splenic hilum, the next most frequent localization of accessory spleens is the pancreatic tail. Intrapancreatic accessory spleens are usually diagnosed occasionally and make diagnostic difficulty because they imitate a pancreatic neoplasm. We present the case of a 61-year old woman with a mass in the pancreatic tail, diagnosed by computed tomography. The patient was operated with suspicion of neuroendocrine tumor. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed the intrapancreatic accessory spleen. We present possibilities of differential diagnosis.     

Die Nebenmilz im Pankreasschwanz—eine vernachlässigte Entität?

According to autoptic studies, accessory spleens may be found in 10% to 15% of the population, in 1% to 2% they are located in the pancreatic tail. They thus have to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of intra- and peripancreatic tumorous lesions. After splenorenal fusion, they can be found pararenally and retroperitoneally, and after splenogonadal fusion they can descend into the pelvis or scrotum. Since they usually are asymptomatic, they are mostly discovered accidentally. The diagnosis is ascertained by a scintigram with technetium-99-marked, heat-damaged red blood cells. If resection is necessary, the organ adherent to the encapsulated accessory spleen should be preserved. By means of three case reports (intrapancreatic accessory spleen, retroperitoneal accessory spleen and torsion-infarcted wandering spleen), the surgical relevance of ectopic splenic tissue is discussed.     

Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen Mimicking Endocrine Tumor of the Pancreas: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Accessory spleen is an anomaly that is observed in about 10% of individuals by the autopsy study, and most accessory spleens are located close to the splenic hilum. Although accessory spleen is a frequently encountered entity, intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is rarely recognized radiologically and is sometimes mistaken for another type of pancreatic neoplasm. Only 10 IPAS cases surgically resected as solid pancreatic mass have been reported in the English literature. We herein report a case of IPAS mimicking an endocrine tumor of the pancreas and review of the literature.     

Familial Epidermoid Cysts of the Spleen: Report of Two Cases

The familial occurrence of epidermoid cysts of the spleen is rare, with only six cases having ever been reported, to our knowledge. We recently diagnosed epidermoid cysts of the spleen in a mother and son. First, a 15-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital for management of blunt abdominal trauma. Computed tomography (CT) showed a ruptured large splenic cyst with an intraabdominal hematoma. We performed a splenectomy, and histopathological examination confirmed the existence of an epidermoid cyst of the spleen. About 2 years and 6 months later, the family physician found that the patient's 41-year-old mother had a large splenic cyst, and she was referred to our hospital for further investigation. CT showed a 10 × 8 cm cyst occupying most of the spleen. The patient underwent splenectomy, and a pathological diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst of the spleen was confirmed. Although the etiology of epidermoid cysts of the spleen is unclear, this familial occurrence may support the hypothesis of congenital malformation as a result of genetic change.     

腹腔镜保脾胰体尾切除八例的手术经验

目的总结保留脾脏腹腔镜胰体尾切除术的临床经验与手术技巧。方法自2003年11月至2008年2月,我们对8例胰体尾部良性占位病变患者施行保留脾脏腹腔镜胰体尾切除术。结果本组8例均在腹腔镜下完成,其中1例合并胆囊切除,1例合并右肾上腺肿瘤切除,1例合并子宫肌瘤挖出、左卵巢畸胎瘤挖出,1例合并子宫肌瘤挖出。本组手术时间120—290min,出血量150—600ml。术后住院时间3～9d,无胰漏发生。术后病理诊断：潴留性囊肿2例,浆液性囊腺瘤1例,黏液性囊腺瘤2例,上皮性囊肿2例,先天性囊肿1例。随访9～60个月,症状消失,未见复发。结论对于胰体尾部良性病变,可行保留脾脏的胰体尾部切除,对拥有丰富高级腹腔镜手术经验的术者,开展保留脾脏的腹腔镜胰体尾切除术是安全可行的。     

Heterotopic peripancreatic spleens presenting as possible tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas

Accessory spleens are found in about 10% of routine postmortem autopsies, usually near the hilum of the spleen and the tail of the pancreas. In 16% of cases, the accessory spleen may be found within the pancreatic tail.¹ Its importance arises when computed tomography (CT) scan reveals a tumor in or about the tail of the pancreas. The diagnosis of intrapancreatic accessory spleen may be suggested when the CT scan, following intravenous contrast injection, shows the mass to be enhanced in a manner characteristic of that of a spleen. Accessory spleen can be identified using technetium 99m(^99m)Tc)-labelled heated red cells or^99mTc sulfur colloid.² We report a patient with heterotopic spleens, questioned by CT scan for pancreatic tumors, but accurately diagnosed by^99mTc sulfur colloid scan.     

肾表皮样囊肿1例报告并文献复习

目的探讨肾表皮样囊肿的临床特点、诊断和治疗方法。方法回顾分析1例肾表皮样囊肿伴肾结石患者的临床资料。结果患者行根治性右肾切除,病理报告为右肾表皮样囊肿。患者术后1周痊愈出院,随访10个月未见肿物复发转移。结论肾表皮样囊肿为罕见的肾脏良性肿瘤,临床上报道极少。临床症状缺乏特异性,诊断较困难,需与肾脏肿瘤、囊性肾癌等相鉴别。     

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy using radiofrequency ablation

INTRODUCTION: Epidermoid cysts are believed to be congenital in origin and often present in the pediatric population. Because of the concerns of compromised immunologic function after total splenectomy and increasing demand for minimally invasive approaches, interest has increased in performing the partial splenectomy in this patient population by laparoscopic techniques. Nonetheless, concerns for adequate hemostasis have limited its widespread adoption. Because radiofrequency ablation for the partial splenectomy has been done in a laparoscopic porcine model with good results, we used this technology with the goal of limiting blood loss and postoperative hemorrhagic complications. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old female presented with complaints of right shoulder pain. Abdominal ultrasound and a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 10-cm cystic lesion of the spleen. Serology was negative for hydatid cyst pathology. The patient underwent an uneventful partial splenectomy by minimally invasive techniques with the aid of a laparoscopic radiofrequency ablative device and the placement of a hemostatic medicated sponge along the line of transection. RESULTS: Estimated blood loss was less than 30 mL. Final pathology was consistent with an epidermoid splenic cyst, and the patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 5. DISCUSSION: Techniques for the treatment of symptomatic splenic cysts range from total splenectomy to cyst fenestration and placement of the omentum in the splenic defect. The use of radiofrequency ablation has been traditionally used for hepatic parenchymal transection but seems equally suited for the partial splenectomy. This technology, and the addition of hemostatic sponges, seems to provide excellent results in minimizing blood loss, intraoperatively and postoperatively, during the laparoscopic partial splenectomy; however, randomized, prospective trials will be necessary to see if they will be superior to traditional techniques.     

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: A preoperatively diagnosed case based on an aspiration biopsy

This paper reports an extremely rare case of lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas. The patient, a 58-year-old man with no subjective symptoms, was found to have a pancreatic tumor during a physical examination. He visited our clinic and was admitted for a follow-up examination. Based on the ultrasonographic findings, superselective angiography, and aspiration biopsy, an epidermoid cyst was diagnosed. Enucleation was easily performed. Macroscopically, this cyst resembled an atheroma. Histologically, the cavity of the cyst was lined with a squamous epithelium with a nucleated layer and below that, lymphatic tissue. No malignancy was found. Tumors of the pancreas with a squamous epithelial covering are extremely rare; only a few such cases have been reported in the literature. As of 1991, only 12 cases, including the present case, had been reported. With the advances in diagnostic techniques, the detection of pancreatic tumors is expected to improve. This paper reports a case in which the use of an aspiration biopsy and superselective angiography proved to be useful in making an accurate diagnosis.