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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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A Method for Murine Islet Isolation and Subcapsular Kidney Transplantation
Published on: April 13, 2011
[A case of nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with extensive calcification]
Katsutoshi Nakano1, Shinya Yamashita, Itsuro Soma
1Department of Surgery, Nishinomiya Municipal Central Hospital.
Summary
A rare case of a nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with central calcification in the pancreas was diagnosed. This pancreatic tumor presented atypical features, highlighting the need for broad differential diagnoses in pancreatic imaging.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Nonfunctioning islet cell tumors (NF-ICTs) are rare pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific imaging findings.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old man presented with a pancreatic tail mass detected by fluoro-deoxy glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT).
- Imaging revealed a calcified tumor with a smooth surface, central calcification, and peripheral enhancement.
Findings:
- Surgical resection and histopathological analysis confirmed a nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with extensive central calcification.
- The tumor reached a maximum diameter of 7 cm, a rare presentation for this type of neoplasm.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering atypical presentations of pancreatic tumors, including calcification, in diagnostic imaging.
- Enhanced awareness of such features can improve preoperative diagnosis and patient management for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.
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