Accessory spleen masquerading as a pancreatic neoplasm

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Radiology

Background:

• Pancreatic masses require accurate diagnosis to guide treatment.
• Neuroendocrine neoplasms are a differential diagnosis for pancreatic lesions.

Observation:

• A computed tomography scan revealed a pancreatic mass.
• The mass was initially suspected to be a nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm.

Findings:

• The mass was diagnosed as an intrapancreatic accessory spleen.
• Diagnosis was achieved through noninvasive imaging techniques.

Implications:

• Noninvasive diagnosis of intrapancreatic accessory spleen can avoid surgical intervention.
• Accurate imaging interpretation is crucial for differentiating benign from malignant pancreatic lesions.