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Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas
Donna Cummins1, Margaret Sheehan, John Bruzzi
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. donnacummins@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|October 30, 2012
Summary
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic tumors. This case highlights an incidentally discovered SPN in an older female, successfully treated with surgical resection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic tumors, typically affecting young females.
- They are often asymptomatic and indolent, growing to large sizes before detection.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old female presented with a wheeze, unrelated to an incidentally discovered 10 cm pancreatic mass on CT scan.
- The mass was well-circumscribed and located adjacent to the pancreatic tail.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemical markers confirmed the diagnosis of a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.
- Surgical resection was curative, with no evidence of metastasis at presentation.
Implications:
- This case expands the known demographic for SPNs, presenting in an older female.
- Highlights the importance of cross-sectional imaging in identifying incidental pancreatic findings.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of surgical resection for curative treatment of SPNs.
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