Peripancreatic Tuberculous Lymphadenitis with Biliary Obstruction Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy

Left-sided portal hypertension caused by peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review

Background

Left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) is an extremely rare clinical syndrome, and it is the only form of curable portal hypertension. It is primarily caused by pancreatic disease, and is associated with complications that cause spleen vein compression. Specific symptoms are often lacking, rendering it difficult to diagnose. Splenectomy is the main treatment for cases complicated by variceal bleeding, and the effects of treatment primarily depend on the condition of the primary disease.

Case presentation

The patient was a 29-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital for repeated hematemesis and black stool. She had been misdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer 7 years prior. Combined imaging and endoscopic examination indicated varicose gastric fundus veins, a pancreatic mass, and enlarged peripancreatic lymph nodes. Laboratory investigations revealed reduced erythrocyte, platelet, and leukocyte counts, the interferon gamma release assay was positive, and liver function was normal. Abdominal exploration, splenectomy, varicose vein dissection, and lesion resection were performed via laparotomy. Postoperative biopsy analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lymph node tuberculosis. Based on the above-described factors, LSPH caused by peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis was a diagnosed.

Conclusions

Herein we describe the first reported case of LSPH caused by peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis. When left portal hypertension occurs simultaneously, peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis is often misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. Further studies are necessary to develop a more favorable diagnostic method for pancreas masses and more advantageous therapy for LSPH, especially in cases caused by mechanical compression.

A case of liver hilar tuberculous lymphadenitis complicated by biliary stricture diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

This report describes a case of liver hilar tuberculous lymphadenitis complicated by biliary stricture, diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). A 44-year-old woman was referred to our center for further evaluation of abnormal liver function tests. Abdominal ultrasound/contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a 15-mm hypovascular mass with a weakly enhanced margin at the liver hilum. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts in the left lobe of liver and gradual narrowing of the left hepatic duct. Biliary stricture associated with enlarged hilar lymph nodes due to metastasis or malignant lymphoma was suspected, but calcification on chest CT and a positive T-SPOT test did not rule out tuberculosis. After transpapillary brush cytology of the bile duct stricture failed to confirm the diagnosis, EUS-FNA of hilar lymph nodes was performed and showed positive for the acid-fast bacillus and polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA as well as epithelioid granulomas on pathological evaluation. Those findings led to a diagnosis of hilar tuberculous lymphadenitis. The patient is under treatment with antituberculosis drugs. Abdominal tuberculous lymphadenitis is rare and some cases diagnosed as lymphadenopathy of unknown origin have required surgery. EUS-FNA is a safe and minimally invasive diagnostic method in such cases.

[Pancreatic tuberculosis]

Prevalence, risk factors of primary pancreatic tuberculosis, clinical symptoms and data of instrumental and laboratory diagnosis are reviewed in the article. The authors emphasized the peculiarities of differential diagnosis with pancreatic malignancies and advisability of the most informative methods - endoscopy and fine-needle aspiration procedure.

Primary peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasia

Primary peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis is an exceptional entity in immunocompetent patients, but its incidence is increasing in developed countries in recent years due to increasing immigration. It usually presents as a pancreatic mass and is misdiagnosed as pancreatic neoplasia in most cases, with the diagnosis of tuberculosis occurring after surgery. We report the case of a 38 year old Pakistani man with abdominal pain of several months duration, who was initially diagnosed with a pancreatic neoplasm after detecting a mass in the pancreatic isthmus by computed tomography (CT) and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, after performing an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB), the patient was diagnosed with peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis. After receiving anti-tuberculous treatment, the patient presented clinical improvement, despite a small reduction in the lesion size. In conclusion, peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis is part of the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasia. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) represents a valuable and useful diagnostic tool for detecting this pathology, avoiding surgeries with a high morbidity and mortality.

Pancreatic Tuberculosis: A Puzzle for Physicians. A Rare Case and Review of Literature

Pancreatic Tuberculosis is an uncommon form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis that resembles malignancy of pancreas and serve as a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Conservative management with Anti Tuberculosis Therapy (ATT) will suffice for pancreatic tuberculosis whereas a malignancy may require major surgeries which may lead to significant morbidity. Here, we discuss the case of a female patient who presented with abdominal pain and vomiting and is a known case of chronic calcific pancreatitis. Radiological findings were that of malignancy of the pancreas. Enteroscopy showed pus flowing out from the duodenum. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the pancreas revealed acid fast bacilli. The patient was treated successfully with ATT. Timely diagnosis of this rare form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis can thus help avoid unwanted resections done for presumed malignancy, for which a high index of suspicion is needed.