A case of minute intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas presenting with recurrent acute pancreatitis

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas, a lesion consisting of mucin-producing cells with neoplastic potential, is characterized by duct ectasia, mucin hypersecretion, often extensive papillary intraductal growth, varying degrees of cytologic atypia, and relatively indolent growth. The clinical presentation of IPMT of the pancreas is characterized by chronic or recurrent attacks of abdominal discomfort often in association with low level pancreatic enzyme elevations. Less commonly these lesions may be detected as asymptomatic radiographic abnormalities. Interestingly, a case of a minute IPMT (2 mm in height and 7 mm in length, adenoma) in the main pancreatic duct presenting with acute pancreatitis in a 55 year-old man has been reported in the Japanese literature. Recently, we also experienced a case of a minute IPMT in a branch pancreatic duct causing repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis in a 75 year-old man. A filling defect at the neck of the main pancreatic duct seen on an endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram performed after recovery of the second attack of acute pancreatitis led the patient to undergo an exploratory laparotomy. After a near-total pancreatectomy was carried out, a minute (3 x 7 mm) IPMT of borderline malignancy was discovered in a branch duct at the head portion near the pancreatic neck without any lesions in the main pancreatic duct. Surprisingly, despite the resective surgery the patient died of carcinomatosis 8.5 months after the operation. We herein report a case of a minute but aggressive IPMT of the pancreas with a review of the literature.

A Case of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Tumor of the Pancreas Presenting with Refractory Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The clinical presentation of intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas is characterized by chronic or recurrent attacks of abdominal discomfort often in association with low level pancreatic enzyme elevations. The episodes of pancreatitis due to IPMT of the pancreas are usually mild in severity. Recently, however, we experienced a case of IPMT of the pancreas causing severe acute pancreatitis with a protracted course in a 65 year-old woman. Initially, she presented with pancreatic ascites and hyperenzynemia without duct ectasia and mucus extrusion through the papillary orifice. Refeeding caused aggravation of hyperenzynemia and abdominal pain. The 4th follow-up abdominal computed tomography taken about 2 months after admission only revealed marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct. Distal pancreatectomy disclosed IPMT, combined type and carcinoma in situ histologically. The patient has been followed for 2 years after operation with an uneventful clinical course. We herein report a case of IPMT of the pancreas with an unusual presentation.

A Case of Minute Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Tumor of the Pancreas Presenting with Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMT) of the pancreas is a lesion consisting of mucin-producing cells with neoplastic potential. This unique group of tumors is characterized by duct ectasia, mucin hypersecretion, often extensive papillary intraductal growth, varying degrees of cytologic atypia, and relatively indolent growth. Now IPMT of the pancreas also includes intraductal papillary neoplasms that do not hypersecrete mucin. The clinical presentation of IPMT of the pancreas is characterized by chronic or recurrent attacks of abdominal discomfort often in association with low level pancreatic enzyme elevations. The episodes of pancreatitis due to IPMT of the pancreas are mild in severity. Recently, we was experienced a case of a minute IPMT causing repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis in a 75 year-old man. An endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram revealed a filling defect at the neck of the main pancreatic duct. A near-total pancreatectomy was performed and a minute (3x7 mm) IPMT of borderline malignancy was found in a branch duct at the pancreatic head. Surprisingly, despite the resective surgery the patient died of carcinomatosis. 8.5 months after the operation. This case of a minute but aggressive IPMT of the pancreas is herein reported with a review of the relevant literature.