Solid-Pseudopapillary Tumor of the Pancreas Masquerading as a Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Abstract

Solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a very rare low-grade malignancy, predominantly occurring in adolescent girls and young women. Accurate diagnosis of this unusual tumor is important because the prognosis after surgical resection is excellent. We report a rare case of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas in a 22-year-old woman that was misdiagnosed as a pancreatic pseudocyst on abdominal CT scan. This case emphasizes the importance of biopsying the pseudocyst wall at the time of drainage procedure if misdiagnosis is to be avoided. CT scan findings alone can not reliably rule out malignant cystic lesions of the pancreas.

The Role of MRI in the Diagnosis of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas and Its Mimickers: A Case-Based Review with Emphasis on Differential Diagnosis

“…Nevertheless, if WON is small, postcontrast opacification of the pseudocapsule and surrounding pancreatic parenchyma may simulate peripheral opacification in SPNs [ 72 ] ( Figure 14 ). In the appropriate clinical context, including the presence of stigmata of acute or chronic pancreatitis or a medical history with previous attacks of severe abdominal pain, imaging features are reasonably suggestive for the correct diagnosis of WON [ 72 ]. Differential diagnosis is difficult if there are no clinical data or imaging findings of previous attacks of acute or chronic pancreatitis.…”

“…Differential diagnosis is difficult if there are no clinical data or imaging findings of previous attacks of acute or chronic pancreatitis. In this regard, a short-term follow-up is helpful, since the MR imaging appearance of WON evolves over time, whereas SPNs exhibit no significant size change [ 72 ].…”