The rare neoplastic cystic adenomas of the pancreas
form two groups of tumors: macrocystic mucinous
and microcystic serous adenomas. Both entities
show specific radiologic and histologic features.
Several recent case reports, however, suggest some
diversity within the group of microcystic serous
adenomas. We present the case of a young man
operated because of epigastric pain for 12 months
and a palpable microcystic tumor of the pancreatic
head. Multiple cysts communicating with branches
of the pancreatic duct in an alveolar-like pattern
were demonstrated on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Histologic examination of
the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of a serous
adenoma of the pancreas. The tumor morphology in
this case may suggest a ductal origin of microcystic
serous adenomas.