Pancreatic islet cell tumor presenting as bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein occlusion

Pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein occlusion in an extended Whipple procedure : comparison with collateral vein pattern in cases of sinistral portal hypertension

INTRODUCTION

The risks of developing sinistral portal hypertension as a result of occlusion of the splenic vein close to its termination during a Whipple procedure are unclear. Our purpose was to compare the pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein ligation in an extended Whipple procedure with the pattern of collateral development in cases of sinistral portal hypertension.

METHODS

Five patients underwent an extended Whipple procedure in which the splenic vein was divided and not reconstructed. Six to eight months later detailed mapping of venous return from the spleen was determined by contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography or in one case by 3D contrast-enhanced MRI. Spleen size and length of residual patent splenic vein were also measured. The literature on sinistral portal hypertension was evaluated to ascertain whether the venous collateral pattern in cases of left-sided portal hypertension was similar to the pattern that developed when the splenic vein was ligated at its termination in the Whipple procedure.

RESULTS

A length of splenic vein remained patent in all five patients, measuring 4.5 to 11.5 cm from the spleen. Splenomegaly did not develop. Blood returned from the spleen by multiple collaterals including collaterals in the omentum and mesocolon. These types of collaterals do not develop in sinistral portal hypertension, nor is residual patent splenic vein seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligation of the splenic vein close to its termination in five patients resulted in a pattern of venous return different from patients that have developed left-sided portal hypertension.

Pancreatic endocrine tumors with major vascular abutment, involvement, or encasement and indication for resection

BACKGROUND

Surgery for pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) with blood vessel involvement is controversial.

HYPOTHESIS

Resection of PETs with major blood vessel involvement can be beneficial.

DESIGN

The combined databases of the National Institutes of Health and Stanford University hospitals were queried.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Operation, pathologic condition, complications, and disease-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 273 patients with PETs, 46 (17%) had preoperative computed tomography evidence of major vascular involvement. The mean size for the primary PET was 5.0 cm. The involved major vessel was as follows: portal vein (n = 20), superior mesenteric vein or superior mesenteric artery (n = 16), inferior vena cava (n = 4), splenic vein (n = 4), and heart (n = 2). Forty-two of 46 patients had a PET removed: 12 (27%) primary only, 30 (68%) with lymph nodes, and 18 (41%) with liver metastases. PETs were removed by either enucleation (n = 7) or resection (n = 35). Resections included distal or subtotal pancreatectomy in 23, Whipple in 10, and total in 2. Eighteen patients had concomitant liver resection: 10 wedge resection and 8 anatomic resections. Nine patients had vascular reconstruction: each had reconstruction of the superior mesenteric vein and portal vein, and 1 had concomitant reconstruction of the superior mesenteric artery. There were no deaths, but 12 patients had complications. Eighteen patients (41%) were immediately disease free, and 5 recurred with follow-up, leaving 13 (30%) disease-free long term. The 10-year overall survival was 60%. Functional tumors were associated with a better overall survival (P < .001), and liver metastases decreased overall survival (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that surgical resection of PETs with vascular abutment/invasion and nodal or distant metastases is indicated.

Left-sided portal hypertension

Left-sided portal hypertension is a rare clinical syndrome which may lead to bleeding from isolated gastric varices. Pancreatic disease is the most common etiology. Left-sided portal hypertension should be considered in the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding with normal liver function and unexplained splenomegaly. It may be difficult to diagnose this entity both endoscopically and radiologically. While splenectomy is the treatment of choice for cases complicated by variceal bleeding, there is no consensus on the treatment of asymptomatic patients. The prognosis of left-sided portal hypertension mainly depends on the underlying etiology.

Pancreatic cancer presenting as bleeding gastric varices

Given the extremely poor prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, early diagnosis is crucial; however, clinical signs and symptoms of the disease are neither sensitive nor specific. In the two cases described, previously undiagnosed pancreatic cancers initially presented with upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. Endoscopic surveys to identify the origin of the bleeding revealed gastric varices secondarily attributed to splenic vein thrombosis. Upon further investigation, the splenic vein occlusions were found to be caused by pancreatic tumors. A review of the incidence, pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities, and implications of splenic vein occlusion is included.

A case of splenic vein occlusion caused by the intravenous tumor thrombus of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma

We report herein a case of successfully treated advanced, nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma associated with left-sided portal hypertension. The splenic vein was obstructed by a huge intravenous tumor thrombus developing from the main pancreatic tumor. Direct invasion to adjacent organs such as the spleen, colon, left kidney and stomach was also observed, although liver metastasis was not present. Radical resection was carried out with removal of these five involved organs and the patient is alive without recurrence more than 5 years after surgery.

Gastric varices formation due to pancreatic tumor: a case of successful resection of cystadenocarcinoma

We report a 70-year-old woman with gastric varices due to splenic vein obstruction by a cystadenocarcinoma of the caudal pancreas. Most of the pancreatic cancer had already extensively progressed and was unresectable when an obstruction of the splenic vein was also discovered. Two contributing factors are thought to have enabled us to perform a curative resection in this case: (1) the gastric varices were detected by chance in a mass survey, (2) the cancer was not so advanced as to be unresectable.

Islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas presenting as bleeding from isolated gastric varices. Report of a case and review of the literature

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage from left-sided portal hypertension and gastric varices is an unusual presentation for islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Islet cell tumors of the pancreas themselves are rare. They present in a variety of ways. Those that elaborate functional hormones cause specific neuroendocrine syndromes. Nonfunctional tumors characteristically present later with symptoms of metastatic disease or as a result of local enlargement. We present a case of islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas presenting with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding from gastric varices and review the literature for this rare presentation. We emphasize the importance of a careful initial diagnostic work-up that may enable curative surgery.

Gastrointestinal and pancreatic endocrine tumours

The radiological diagnosis and interventional management of neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas are challenging, demanding the complete gamut of available resources. Carcinoid tumours are most commonly found in the appendix and small bowel. Barium studies usually disclose a small solitary mucosal or submucosal mass in the distal ileum at times associated with smooth muscle hypertrophy and thickening of the mucosal folds. Intussusception and bowel obstruction may be the presenting finding. Mesenteric involvement may evoke a desmoplastic reaction with rigidity, fixation, angulation and tethering of small bowel loops. Angiography may demonstrate a hypervascular primary neoplasm but more frequently reveals vascular encasement and distortion from the mesenteric desmoplastic reaction. Pancreatic islet cell tumour is best defined radiologically by angiography and computed tomography as a well circumscribed hypervascular mass which enhances with contrast material. Portal venous sampling is of considerable assistance in localizing insulinoma. Metastases from neuroendocrine tumours to lymph nodes and to the liver are usually hypervascular. In the evaluation of the liver by CT scanning prior to contrast as well as dynamic scanning during the bolus intravenous injection of contrast material are necessary. At times the precontrast scan is more revealing. Computed tomography with the catheter in the superior mesenteric artery followed by selective hepatic arteriography is the most accurate combination for the detection of hepatic metastases. Interventional radiological management by sequential hepatic arterial embolization is the treatment of choice for multiple hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours. Thus far, the maximum number of embolic episodes in a single patient has been 13. The carcinoid syndrome has been controlled in 87% while 79% of islet cell tumour hepatic metastases have responded. Contraindications to HAE includes a combination of all of the following: (i) replacement of more than 50% of the liver by tumour, (ii) serum lactic dehydrogenase above 425 mU/ml, (iii) serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase above 100 mU/ml, and (iv) bilirubin above 2 mg/dl. In the face of occlusion of the portal vein by intravascular neoplasm, HAE is contraindicated only if portal flow through collateral vein is away from the liver.

Segmental portal hypertension

Isolated obstruction of the splenic vein leads to segmental portal hypertension, which is a rare form of extrahepatic portal hypertension, but it is important to diagnose, since it can be cured by splenectomy. In a review of the English literature, 209 patients with isolated splenic vein obstruction were found. Pancreatitis caused 65% of the cases and pancreatic neoplasms 18%, whereas the rest was caused by various other diseases. Seventy-two per cent of the patients bled from gastroesophageal varices, and most often the bleeding came from isolated gastric varices. The spleen was enlarged in 71% of the patients. A correct diagnosis in connection with the first episode of bleeding was made in only 49%; 22% were operated on because of gastrointestinal bleeding, but the cause of bleeding was not found. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients with gastroesophageal varices, but without signs of a liver disease, especially if isolated gastric varices are found. The diagnosis is confirmed by portography.

Nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma presenting bleeding gastric varices and splenomegaly

This is a report of a 63-year-old Japanese woman with a nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas presenting bleeding gastric varices and splenomegaly. These manifestations are extremely rare in patients with nonfunctioning islet cell tumor. The tumor originated in the tail of the pancreas and grew mainly within the spleen. The gastric varices due to increased blood flow to the tumor and arteriovenous fistulas within the tumor were confirmed by angiography and operation. The tumor was resected and she is in a good health for 14-months after the operation.