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.     

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.     

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.     

Malnutrition, steatorrhoea and pancreatic head tumour

A 61-year-old female patient is described who presented with weight loss, steatorrhoea and enlargement of the pancreatic head. Surgical exploration for suspected pancreatic cancer revealed multiple peritoneal white spots, initially suggestive for peritoneal metastases or tuberculosis but finally identified as peritoneal sarcoidosis. Pancreatic insufficiency could not be proven in further studies. We found pancreas divisum as an additional cause for the pancreatic head mass, and steatorrhoea was due to late-onset oligosymptomatic coeliac disease. This case demonstrates diagnostic pitfalls when several rare disorders are manifest in a single patient. Coeliac disease and sarcoidosis might be sequels of similar immune responses to certain antigens.     

Tuberculosis of the pancreas diagnosed with needle aspiration

Tuberculosis of the pancreas is very rare and can present with many signs and symptoms, including obstructive jaundice, weight loss and a mass in the head of the pancreas. Hence the diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis remains a challenge and a high index of suspicion is required. If a tumour is suspected then an ultrasound- or CT-guided fine needle aspiration should be performed. Even if the initial microbiological results are negative, using conventional techniques, PCR can yield more rapid results and avoid an unnecessary laparotomy.     

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.     

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.     

Primary pancreatic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK negative： A case report

We present the fourth case of a primary pancreatic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), ALK-. An 80-year-old man was admitted to our clinic for further investigation of a fever of unknown origin. He noted anorexia, weight loss and fatigue. His laboratory tests showed anemia and a great elevation of ESR, LDH, and β2 microglobulin. In CT and MRI scan, a soft tissue mass in the pancreas was observed. A repeated endoscopy after his admission revealed an ulcerated mass-like deformity of the duodenal bulb. Explorative laparotomy confirmed a diffuse spread of an unresectable malignant pancreatic mass extending to the adjacent organs. Duodenal and surgical biopsies identified an ALCL of T-cell lineage, ALK-. The patient died in the Intensive Care Unit due to hemodynamic instability. Our case is the first one indicating that primary pancreatic lymphoma should be suspected in a patient with pancreatic mass and elevated serum LDH and β2 microglobulin.     

Coexistence of pancreatic carcinoma and pancreatic tuberculosis: case report

Pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) is extremely rare and mimics pancreatic carcinoma both clinically and radiologically. This paper discusses the occurrence of 2 heterogeneous masses located in the head and tail of the pancreas in an adult male. In this patient, laparotomy was performed because of the high suspicion of pancreatic carcinoma. Intraoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed the coexistence of pancreatic carcinoma with pancreatic TB, and a combined resection of the distal pancreas and spleen was successfully performed. Following surgery, the patient received standard chemotherapy for TB. At 7-month follow-up, computed tomography showed resolution of the mass in the pancreatic head. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for pancreatic TB in patients with pancreatic masses. The coexistence of malignancy and TB should be considered when patients present with multiple pancreatic masses.     

腹腔脏器结核57例临床分析

目的 探讨腹腔脏器结核的临床特点、诊治方法,以提高对腹腔脏器结核的诊断水平。方法 回顾性分析1958年1月～2004年12月间在北京协和医院收治并经病理诊断的57例腹腔脏器结核病例的临床资料。结果 肝结核39例,脾结核5例,胰腺结核8例,胃结核3例,肝结核并胃结核1例,肝结核并脾结核1例。男性26例,女性31例,年龄17～68岁。41例（71．9％）患者并存腹腔以外脏器结核或既往有结核病史。主要临床表现有发热（75．4％）,结核中毒症状（82．5％）,肝脾肿大（57．9％）。多数患者（59．6％）有血沉增快,肝、脾或胰腺占位病变者占64．9％。结论 不明原因长期发热伴有肝脾肿大、血沉增快、影像学提示有腹腔脏器占位病变的病例应警惕结核可能,穿刺取活组织病理检查有助诊断,必要时需剖腹探查,及早抗结核治疗预后良好。     

Heterotopic mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas

A 46-year-old female who had been experiencing severe diarrhea and marked weight loss underwent exploratory laparotomy because of a mass near the tail of the pancreas noted on CT scan. Pathologic examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas occurring in heterotopic pancreatic tissue. This is the second reported case of mucinous cystadenoma occurring in heterotopic pancreatic tissue.     

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.     

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.     

Mesenteric tuberculosis with jejunal infiltration

A 69-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of asthenia, anorexia and 20 kg weight loss. An ultrasound study and computerized tomography (CT) imaging revealed a mesenteric mass and laparotomy was performed. The diagnosis was mesenteric tuberculosis with jejunal involvement. This represents an atypical onset of tuberculosis in a non-immunosuppressed patient. Received: July 19, 2001 · Revision accepted: February 9, 2002     

Childhood cystic teratoma of the pancreas: Clinical presentation,evaluation and management

Pancreatic cystic teratoma in children is extremely rare. Here we present a female infant with a mature cystic teratoma of the pancreatic body. The patient was admitted for a palpable abdominal mass and anorexia. Computed tomography (CT) indicated a huge cystic mass in the abdominal cavity. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the tumor was excised completely. Pathology confirmed the tumor was a mature cystic teratoma of pancreatic origin. Two months after the initial surgery, a pseudocyst was detected and then cystojejunostomy was performed. Fourteen months after the second surgery, tumor relapse occurred and distal pancreatectomy was performed. The patient remained well without tumor recurrence during the next 24 months of follow-up. Our experience suggests that clinical manifestations of children with pancreatic cystic teratomas might be nonspecific and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Radical tumor resection and maximized preservation of healthy pancreatic tissue should always be balanced in surgical treatment.     

Pancreatic tuberculosis with obstructive jaundice—a case report

Isolated pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) is very rare and its treatment somewhat controversial. We report a case of pancreatic TB diagnosed as pancreatic carcinoma. An 82-yr-old man presented with right upper abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice, without fever or weight loss. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a mass lesion in the pancreatic head, which caused stricturing of the distal common bile duct and pancreatic duct in the head of the gland. As malignancy was suspected, he underwent a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy). Histological examination of the resection specimen disclosed typical features of tuberculosis in the pancreatic head, lymph nodes, and at the ampulla of Vater. The rest of the abdominal cavity was unremarkable. After receiving antimicrobial therapy for tuberculosis for 6 months, he remains well, without jaundice or a recurrent mass visible by ultrasound.     

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 hamartoma.

Pancreatic hamartoma is a rare benign lesion and may be mistaken for a malignancy, as demonstrated by two cases. The first case was a 29-year-old man who presented with a 7-month history of intermittent upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and a 15-kg weight loss. CT and MRI revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas. The second case was a 62-year-old man who presented with a 2-year history of intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting and a 25-kg weight loss. Although positron emission tomography was normal, CT revealed thickening of the duodenal wall and endoluminal ultrasonography revealed a tumour in the head of the pancreas. Both patients recovered from uneventful Kausch-Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy (in the first patient, it was pylorus-preserving), and in each case the histological diagnosis was hamartoma. Pancreatic hamartoma can present with vague, non-specific symptoms which, despite modern diagnostic tools, can be difficult to diagnose. Surgical resection with histopathological examination is required to confirm the diagnosis.     

Tuberculosis of pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes in immunocompetent patients： experience from China

AIM: To determine the clinical, radiographic and laboratory characteristics, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic variables in immunocompetent patients with tuberculosis (TB) of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes. METHODS: The records of 16 patients (6 male, 10 female;mean age 37 years, range 18-56years) with tuberculosis of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes from 1983 to 2001 in the Southwest Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.In addition, 58 similar cases published in Chinese literature were reviewed and summarized. We reviewed the clinical,radiographic and laboratory findings, diagnostic methods,therapeutic approaches, and outcome in the patients. Criteria for the diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis were the presence of granuloma in histological sections or the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Predominant symptoms consisted of abdominal nodule and pain (75 ％), anorexia/weight loss (69 ％),malaise/weakness (64 ％), fever and night sweats (50 ％),back pain (38 ％) and jaundice (31％). Swelling of the head of the pancreas with heterogeneous attenuation echo was detected with ultrasound in 75 ％ (12/16). CT scan showed pancreatic mass with heterogeneous hypodensity focus in all patients, with calcification in 56 ％ (9/16) patients, and peripancreatic nodules in 38 ％ (6/16)patients. Anemia and lymphocytopenia were seen in 50 ％(8/16) patients, and pancytopenia occurred in 13 ％ (2/16) patients. Hypertransaminasemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase (AP) and GGT were seen in 56 ％ (9/16)patients. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was elevated in 69 ％ (11/16) cases. Granulomas were found in 75 ％ (12/16) cases, and in 38 ％ (6/16) cases caseous necrosis tissue was found. Laparotomy was performed in 75 ％ (12/16) cases, and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) was done in 63 ％ (10 of 16). The most commonly used combinations of medications were isoniazid/rifampin/streptomycin (63 ％, n=10) and isoniazid/rifampin pyrazinamide/streptomycin or ethambutol (38 ％, n=6). The duration of treatment lasted for half or one year and treatment was successful in all cases. The characteristics of 58 cases from Chinese literature were also summarized. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in patients presenting with a pancreatic mass, and diagnosis without laparotomy is possible if only doctors are aware of its clinical features and investigate it with appropriate modalities. Pancreatic tuberculosis can be effectively cured by antituberculous drugs.     

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.