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

Hemosuccus Pancreaticus Due to the Rupture of a Pseudoaneurysm That Developed in an Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm

A 76-year-old woman with branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) was admitted with epigastric pain and vomiting. She had received warfarin due to a history of deep vein thrombosis. A blood test showed decreased serum hemoglobin and elevated serum amylase. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed acute pancreatitis and formation of a pseudoaneurysm in the IPMN. We suspected rupture of a pseudoaneurysm and performed trans-catheter angiography. Angiography showed extravasation from the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, and coil embolization was performed. It is important to be alert for the formation of pseudoaneurysm in patients with cystic neoplasms.

A long-term survivor of metachronous liver metastases of pancreatic serous cystic neoplasm associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) is an uncommon exocrine neoplasm, which is believed to be a benign entity. However, some of these neoplasms may occasionally attain metastatic ability. Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) manifests a dominantly inherited systemic syndrome accompanied by several benign or malignant tumors, including cystic tumors, in various organs. We describe here a long-term survival case who underwent surgical resection for metachronous liver metastases of pancreatic SCN associated with VHL disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 35-year-old woman with VHL underwent total pancreatectomy and right nephrectomy for pancreatic SCN and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. At the 4th year follow-up examination after the resection, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed arterially hyper-enhanced neoplastic lesions in the segment VI and VIII of the liver. Partial resections of the liver were performed 53 months after the initial surgery. At the 6th month follow-up examination from the second surgery, one and two tumors located in the liver segment III, and VIII, respectively, were detected by contrast-enhanced CT and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. Anterior segmentectomy and partial resection of the segment III were performed 66 months after the initial surgery and 13 months after the second, respectively. The tumors were pathologically diagnosed as liver metastases of pancreatic SCN synonymous with serous cystadenocarcinoma. She remains disease-free without recurrence 6.5 years after the last operation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of a case of metastatic SCN associated with VHL. Surgical resection might confer a favorable prognosis in patients of pancreatic SCN with liver metastases.

Successful Management of Hemosuccus Pancreaticus due to Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma by Chemoradiotherapy

Management of hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma is problematic. This is the first report of the successful management of HP caused by pancreatic adenocarcinoma by chemoradiotherapy, which is a treatment option for cases with a high surgical risk that are not suitable for interventional radiology. In the present case, bloody pancreatic juice was detected in the main pancreatic duct, and anemia worsened without repeated blood transfusions. The patient ultimately underwent chemoradiotherapy comprising radiation of 3 Gy in 15 fractions concomitant with systemic chemotherapy of S-1. After the treatments, the anemia improved, and the patient was discharged on day 45.

Multifocal/diffuse pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms: Systematic review with a new case

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are common, among which 13%-23% are serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs). However, diffuse and multifocal variants of SCNs are extremely rare. The differential diagnosis of SCNs from other PCNs is important as the former entities are benign and do not become invasive.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzes the clinical characteristics of multifocal/diffuse SCN through a systematic review of the literature and a case report.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was executed in the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. The search strategy was designed to capture the concept of multifocal/diffuse SCN cases with sufficient clinical information for detailed analysis. Using the final included articles, we analyzed tumor characteristics, diagnostic modalities used, initial management and indications, and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

A review of 262 articles yielded 19 publications with 22 cases that had detailed clinical information. We presented an additional case from our institution database. The systematic review of 23 cases revealed that the diffuse variant is more common than the multifocal variant (15 vs 8 cases, respectively). Patients were managed with surgical intervention, conservative treatment, or conservative treatment followed by surgical intervention. Indications for surgery following conservative management mainly included new onset or worsening of symptoms. Only one case reported significant tumor growth after attempting an observational approach. No articles reported recurrence of SCN after pancreatectomy, and no articles reported mortality related to multifocal/diffuse SCNs.

CONCLUSION

Despite their expansive-growing and space-occupying characteristics, multifocal/diffuse SCNs should be treated similarly to their more common unifocal counterpart.

[Wirsungorrhagia in cystic mucinous pancreasic tumor]

A rare case of virsungorrhagia in a 65 y/o patient with a mucinous tumor of the tail of the pancreas is presented. Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with an arrosis of the splenic artery adjacent to the tumor, which required a two-step treatment - endovascular occlusion of the splenic artery and distal resection of the pancreas.

Benign Tumors and Tumorlike Lesions of the Pancreas

The pancreas is a complex organ that may give rise to large number of neoplasms and non-neoplastic lesions. This article focuses on benign neoplasms, such as serous neoplasms, and tumorlike (pseudotumoral) lesions that may be mistaken for neoplasm not only by clinicians and radiologists, but also by pathologists. The family of pancreatic pseudotumors, by a loosely defined conception of that term, includes a variety of lesions including heterotopia, hamartoma, and lipomatous pseudohypertrophy. Autoimmune pancreatitis and paraduodenal ("groove") pancreatitis may also lead to pseudotumor formation. Knowledge of these entities will help in making an accurate diagnosis.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with complete replacement of the pancreas by serous cystic neoplasms in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease: a case report

Background

von Hippel-Lindau disease is a dominantly inherited multi-system syndrome with neoplastic hallmarks. Pancreatic lesions associated with von Hippel-Lindau include serous cystic neoplasms, simple cysts, and neuroendocrine tumors. The combination of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and serous cystic neoplasms is relatively rare, and the surgical treatment of these lesions must consider both preservation of pancreatic function and oncological clearance. We report a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease successfully treated with pancreas-sparing resection of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor where the pancreas had been completely replaced by serous cystic neoplasms, in which pancreatic function was preserved.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old female with von Hippel-Lindau disease was referred to our institution for treatment of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a well-enhanced mass, 4 cm in diameter in the tail of the pancreas, and two multilocular tumors with several calcifications, 5 cm in diameter, in the head of the pancreas. There was complete replacement of the pancreas by multiple cystic lesions with diameters ranging from 1 to 3 cm. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed innumerable cystic lesions on the whole pancreas and no detectable main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the mass in the pancreatic tail showed characteristic features of a neuroendocrine tumor. A diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in the tail of the pancreas and mixed-type serous cystic neoplasms replacing the whole pancreas was made and she underwent distal pancreatectomy while avoiding total pancreatectomy. The stump of the pancreas was sutured as firm as possible using a fish-mouth closure. The patient made a good recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 9. She is currently alive and well with no symptoms of endocrine or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency 8 months after surgery.

Conclusions

A pancreas-sparing resection should be considered for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and complete cystic replacement of the pancreas to preserve quality of life after surgery.

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.

Pancreatic involvement in Japanese patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease: results of a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

The frequency and prognosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PNET)/pancreatic cystic tumors (PCT) in Japanese patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) are still open to question.

METHODS

We conducted the first nationwide epidemiological study of VHL disease in Japan to elucidate this question. Data on 377 VHL patients (PNET, 53; PCT, 152) were reported, and then their clinical characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

PNET was found in 14.1 % and PCT in 40.3 %; 4.5 % had both. The onset of PNET and PCT mostly occurred at 30-39 years of age (median ages, 34 and 33 years, respectively). Metastasis was observed in 7.5 % of PNET patients at diagnosis, and 64.2 % underwent surgery including enucleation, partial and total pancreatectomy, and bypass surgery. Two patients received non-surgical therapies. No PNET-related deaths were observed. In PCT patients, no metastasis was observed at diagnosis, and 9.2 % underwent surgery or drainage. According to the classification system without or with adrenal pheochromocytoma, the VHL patients studied herein were subdivided into 313 (83 %) with VHL type 1 and 64 (17 %) with VHL type 2; 29 (9.3 %) and 24 (37.5 %) patients had PNET with VHL type 1 and 2, suggesting that patients with VHL type 2 were significantly more related to PNET than those with VHL type 1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed no significant difference in the epidemiology of pancreatic involvement between Japanese and non-Japanese VHL patients. Concerning the prognosis, follow-up study is needed.

Pancreatic cyst development: insights from von Hippel-Lindau disease

Pancreatic cysts are a heterogeneous group of lesions, which can be benign or malignant. Due to improved imaging techniques, physicians are more often confronted with pancreatic cysts. Little is known about the origin of pancreatic cysts in general. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an atypical ciliopathy and inherited tumor syndrome, caused by a mutation in the VHL tumor suppressor gene encoding the VHL protein (pVHL). VHL patients are prone to develop cysts and neuroendocrine tumors in the pancreas in addition to several other benign and malignant neoplasms. Remarkably, pancreatic cysts occur in approximately 70% of VHL patients, making it the only hereditary tumor syndrome with such a discernible expression of pancreatic cysts. Cellular loss of pVHL due to biallelic mutation can model pancreatic cystogenesis in other organisms, suggesting a causal relationship. Here, we give a comprehensive overview of various pVHL functions, focusing on those that can potentially explain pancreatic cyst development in VHL disease. Based on preclinical studies, cilia loss in ductal cells is probably an important early event in pancreatic cyst development.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is defined as upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage from the papilla of Vater via the pancreatic duct and is a rare cause of digestive bleeding.

DATA SOURCE

A PubMed search of relevant articles published from January 1967 to September 2011 was performed to identify current information about HP in terms of its etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

A variety of etiological factors, most commonly chronic pancreatitis but also tumors and vascular diseases, can lead to this condition. Appropriate endoscopic or radiologic procedures should be chosen to establish a precise diagnosis for patients, especially those with a known history of pancreatic disorders, who present with abdominal pain, GI hemorrhage and hyperamylasemia. There are two main therapeutic options for this condition: angiographic embolotherapy and surgery. Both treatments can stop bleeding, but angiographic embolotherapy is the treatment of choice for stable patients. Recently, new and less invasive treatments have emerged to treat this condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of its rarity and broad spectrum of causes, HP is difficult to diagnose accurately. However, appropriate endoscopic and radiologic procedures are extremely helpful for establishing a correct diagnosis. Both angiographic embolotherapy and surgery are reliable treatment options for this condition, and transcatheter intervention is the treatment of choice for clinically stable patients. Additional innovative treatments have emerged, but their effectiveness and safety must be confirmed.

Cystic tumors of the pancreas: imaging and management

Cystic tumors of the pancreas are a subset of rare pancreatic tumors that vary from benign to malignant. Many have specific imaging findings that allow them to be differentiated from each other. This article (1) reviews the imaging features of the common cystic pancreatic lesions, including serous microcystic adenoma, mucinous cystic tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, and solid pseudopapillary tumor, and including the less common lesions such as cystic endocrine tumors, cystic metastases, cystic teratomas, and lymphangiomas; and (2) provides comprehensive algorithms on how to manage the individual lesions, with recommendations on when to reimage patients.

Role of cortical sparing adrenalectomy and novel variant of mutation in patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is the most common phakomatoses and is inherited in autosomal dominant fashion with complete penetrance. Secondary hypertension is common in these patients due to various causes including adrenal tumors. Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine producing tumor seen in 0.5% to 5% of patients with neurofibromatosis. The combination of pheochromocytoma with neurofibromatosis is rarely reported in the literature. We recently encountered an elderly lady with this combination who successfully underwent adrenalectomy. We report the case for the uncommon occurrence and to highlight the relevant literature review about pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis.