Castleman disease of the pancreas mimicking pancreatic malignancy on^(68)Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography:A case report

BACKGROUND Castleman disease is an uncommon nonclonal lymphoproliferative disorder,which frequently mimics both benign and malignant abnormalities in several regions.Depending on the number of lymph nodes or regions involved,Castleman disease(CD)varies in diagnosis,treatment and prognosis.It rarely occurs in the pancreas alone without any distinct clinical feature and tends to be confused with pancreatic paraganglioma(PGL),neuroendocrine tumors(NETs),and primary tumors,thus impeding proper diagnosis and treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old woman presented with a lesion on the neck of the pancreas,detected by ultrasound during a health examination.Physical examination and laboratory findings were normal.The mass showed hypervascularity on enhanced computed tomography(CT),significantly increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography(PET)/CT,and slightly increased somatostatin receptor(SSTR)expression on^(68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT,suggesting no distant metastases and subdiagnoses such as pancreatic PGL,NET,or primary tumor.Intraoperative pathology suggested lymphatic hyperplasia,and only simple tumor resection was performed.The patient was diagnosed with the hyaline vascular variant of CD,which was confirmed by postoperative immunohistochemistry.The patient was discharged successfully,and no recurrence was observed on regular review.CONCLUSION High glucose uptake and slightly elevated SSTR expression are potentially new diagnostic features of CD of the pancreas.

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation in managing pancreatic malignancy

Pancreatic malignancy is still the most lethal gastrointestinal malignancy.It has a very poor prognosis with low survival rate.Surgery is still the main treatment option for pancreatic malignancy.Most patients already have locally advanced and even late stage disease due to non-specific abdominal symptoms.Even though some cases are still suitable for surgical treatment,due to its aggressiveness adjuvant chemotherapy is becoming the standard treatment for controlling the disease.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is a thermal therapy that has been used as one of the standard treatments for liver malignancy.It can also be performed intraoperatively.There are several reports on percutaneous RFA treatment for pancreatic malignancy using transabdominal ultrasound and guided by computed tomography scan.However,due to its anatomical location and the risk of high radiation exposure,these methods seem to be very limited.Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)has been widely used for pancreatic abnormality evaluation due to its ability to detect more accurately,especially small pancreatic lesions,compared to other imaging modalities.By the EUS approach,it is easier to achieve good visualization of tumor ablation and necrosis as the echoendoscope position is closer to the tumor area.Based on studies and a recent meta-analysis,EUS-guided RFA is a promising treatment approach for most pancreatic malignancy cases,but most studies only collected data from a small sample size.Larger studies are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy for the treatment of low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors:Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Function-preserving pancreatectomy can improve the long-term quality of life of patients with benign or low-grade malignant tumors,such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMNs)and mucinous cystic neoplasms.However,there is limited literature on laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy(LSpTP)due to technical difficulties.CASE SUMMARY Patient 1 was a 51-year-old male diagnosed with IPMN based on preoperative imaging,showing solid nodules in the pancreatic head and diffuse dilation of the main pancreatic duct with atrophy of the distal pancreas.We performed L-SpTP with preservation of the splenic vessels,and the postoperative pathology report revealed IPMN with invasive carcinoma.Patient 2 was a 60-year-old male with multiple cystic lesions in the pancreatic head and body.L-SpTP was performed,and intraoperatively,the splenic vein was injured and required ligation.Postoperative pathology revealed a mucinous cystic tumor of the pancreas with low-grade dysplasia.Both patients were discharged on postoperative day 7,and there were no major complications during the perioperative period.CONCLUSION We believe that L-SpTP is a safe and feasible treatment for low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors,but more case studies are needed to evaluate its safety,efficacy,and long-term outcomes.

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound elastography in pancreatic lesion evaluation

Pancreatic malignancy still becomes a major global problem and is considered as one of the most lethal cancers in the field of gastroenterology.Most patients come in the late stage of the disease due to organ’s location,and until now the treatment result is still far away from satisfaction.Early detection is still the main key for good,prolonged survival.However,discerning from other types of tumor sometimes is not easy.Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)is still the best tool for pancreatic assessment,whereas fine-needle aspiration biopsy(FNAB)is considered as the cornerstone for further management of pancreatic malignancy.Several conditions have become a concern for EUS-FNAB procedure,such as risk of bleeding,pancreatitis,and even needle track-seeding.Recently,an artificial intelligence innovation,such as EUS elastography has been developed to improve diagnostic accuracy in pancreatic lesions evaluation.Studies have shown the promising results of EUS elastography in improving diagnostic accuracy,as well as discerning from other tumor types.However,more studies are still needed with further considerations,such as adequate operator training,expertise,availability,and its cost-effectiveness in comparison to other imaging options.

Primary pancreatic lymphoma: Report of six cases

AIM： To heighten recognition of primary pancreatic lymphoma （PPL） in clinical practice. METHODS： A retrospective review of the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and pathological features of PPL patients were presented, as well as their diagnosis and treatment, in combination with literature review. RESULTS： Histological diagnosis was made in four patients by surgery and in two patients by EUS-FNA. The six PPL patients （5 males and 1 female; age range, 16-65 years; mean age, 46 years） had the duration of symptoms for two weeks to three months. The primary presenting symptoms, though not characteristic, were abdominal pain, abdominal masses, weight loss, jaundice, nausea and vomiting. One of the patients developed acute pancreatitis. In one patient, the level of serum CA19-9 was 76.3 μg/L. Abdominal CT scan showed that three of the six tumors were located in the head of pancreas, two in the body and tail, and one throughout the pancreas. Diameter of the tumors in the pancreas in four cases was more than 6 cm, with homogeneous density and unclear borders. Enhanced CT scan showed that only the tumor edges were slightly enhanced. The pancreatic duct was irregularly narrowed in two cases whose tumors were located in the pancreatic head and body, in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） showed that the proximal segment was slightly dilated. Two patients underwent Whipple operation, one patient underwent pancreatectomy, and another patient underwent operative biliary decompression. PPL was in stage Ⅰ E in 2 patients and in stage Ⅱ E in 4 patients according to the Ann Arbor classification system. The diagnosis of B-cell non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma was made in all patients histopathologically. All six patients underwent systemic chemotherapy, one of whom was also treated with gamma radiometry. One patient died two weeks after diagnosis, two patients lost follow-up, two patients who received chemotherapy survived 49 and 37 mo, and the remaining patient is still alive 21 mo, after diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION： PPL is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma originating from the pancreatic parenchyma. Clinical and imaging findings are otherwise not specific in the differentiation of pancreatic lymphoma and pancreatic cancer, which deserves attention. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration （EUS-FNA） of the pancreas requires experienced cytopathologists as well as advanced immunohistochemical assays to obtain a final diagnosis on a small amount of tissue. Surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy can produce fairly good outcomes.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT PANCREATICENDOCRINE TUMOUR

Objective To summarize our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumour. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 36 cases of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumours in our hospital from July 1987 to April 2002, and summarized its clinical features. Results Liver metastasis was the main malignant manifestation of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumours (incidence rate 72.2%). Removals of primary lesion and isolated hepatic metastatic lesion were means of curative therapy. Interventional chemotherapy was an important adjuvant treatment. Conclusion Comprehensive therapy plays an important role in improving the prognosis of malignant pancreatic endoc-rine tumour.

A new combined criterion to better predict malignant lesions in patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasms

Objective:Cystic lesions of the pancreas have been increasingly recognized.Some lesions exhibit benign behavior,while others have unequivocal malignant potential.Thus,accurate identification of malignancy in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cystic neoplasms(PCNs)remains a major challenge.The aim of this study was to define a combined criterion to better predict malignant lesions in patients with PCNs.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 165 patients who underwent resection of PCNs from October 2011 to May 2017.The relationship among malignancy and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9),preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and the presence of enhanced solid component on imaging was analyzed.Results:NLR before surgery in patients with malignant PCNs(2.81±2.14)was significantly higher than that in patients diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor(1.90±0.69,P=0.013)or healthy volunteers(1.40±0.48;P<0.001).Serum CA19-9≥39U/m L,NLR>1.976 and presence of enhanced solid component were independent predictors of PCN malignancy.A combined criterion meeting any two or more of the three elements including CA19-9≥39 U/m L,NLR>1.976,and presence of enhanced solid component on computed tomography imaging is an indicator with a high positive predictive value of 80.5%and a high negative predictive value of 87.9%,and thus,represents a highly accurate test(86.1%).Conclusions:The new combined criterion is an effective predictor of tumor malignancy in patients with PCNs.

Clinical analysis of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumors:reports of 27 cases

To investigate clinicopathological features,diagnosis and treatment of malignant pancreatic tumors.Methods A retrospective clinical analysis was made in 27 cases of malignant pancreatic tumors admitted from 1989 to 2003.Results Tumors were surgically resected in 22 patients.Tumor infiltration into surrounding organs was found in 13 cases.Four patients had lymph nodes metastasis and 5 had liver metastasis.Two cases were found tumor embolus in vascular or lymph tube.Neural invasion was found in 3.Conclusion Malignant pancreatic tumors has good prognosis.Aggressive attempts of surgical management should be performed.6 refs,1 tab.

A novel clinical model for risk prediction and stratification of new-onset diabetes mellitus after distal pancreatectomy

Background:The incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus(NODM)after distal pancreatectomy(DP)remains high.Few studies have focused on NODM in patients with pancreatic benign or low-grade malignant lesions(PBLML).This study aimed to develop and validate an effective clinical model for risk prediction and stratification of NODM after DP in patients with PBLML.Methods:A follow-up survey was conducted to investigate NODM in patients without preoperative DM who underwent DP.Four hundred and forty-eight patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)and 178 from Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital(GDPH)met the inclusion criteria.They constituted the training cohort and the validation cohort,respectively.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression,as well as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)analyses,were used to identify the independent risk factors.The nomogram was constructed and verified.Concordance index(C-index),receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis(DCA)were applied to assess its predictive performance and clinical utility.Accordingly,the optimal cut-off point was determined by maximally selected rank statistics method,and the cumulative risk curves for the high-and low-risk populations were plotted to evaluate the discrimination ability of the nomogram.Results:The median follow-up duration was 42.8 months in the PUMCH cohort and 42.9 months in the GDPH cohort.The postoperative cumulative 5-year incidences of DM were 29.1%and 22.1%,respectively.Age,body mass index(BMI),length of pancreatic resection,intraoperative blood loss,and concomitant splenectomy were significant risk factors.The nomogram demonstrated significant predictive utility for post-pancreatectomy DM.The C-indexes of the nomogram were 0.739 and 0.719 in the training and validation cohorts,respectively.ROC curves demonstrated the predictive accuracy of the nomogram,and the calibration curves revealed that prediction results were in general agreement with the actual results.The considerable clinical applicability of the nomogram was certified by DCA.The optimal cut-off point for Background:The incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus(NODM)after distal pancreatectomy(DP)remains high.Few studies have focused on NODM in patients with pancreatic benign or low-grade malignant lesions(PBLML).This study aimed to develop and validate an effective clinical model for risk prediction and stratification of NODM after DP in patients with PBLML.Methods:A follow-up survey was conducted to investigate NODM in patients without preoperative DM who underwent DP.Four hundred and forty-eight patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)and 178 from Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital(GDPH)met the inclusion criteria.They constituted the training cohort and the validation cohort,respectively.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression,as well as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)analyses,were used to identify the independent risk factors.The nomogram was constructed and verified.Concordance index(C-index),receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis(DCA)were applied to assess its predictive performance and clinical utility.Accordingly,the optimal cut-off point was determined by maximally selected rank statistics method,and the cumulative risk curves for the high-and low-risk populations were plotted to evaluate the discrimination ability of the nomogram.Results:The median follow-up duration was 42.8 months in the PUMCH cohort and 42.9 months in the GDPH cohort.The postoperative cumulative 5-year incidences of DM were 29.1%and 22.1%,respectively.Age,body mass index(BMI),length of pancreatic resection,intraoperative blood loss,and concomitant splenectomy were significant risk factors.The nomogram demonstrated significant predictive utility for post-pancreatectomy DM.The C-indexes of the nomogram were 0.739 and 0.719 in the training and validation cohorts,respectively.ROC curves demonstrated the predictive accuracy of the nomogram,and the calibration curves revealed that prediction results were in general agreement with the actual results.The considerable clinical applicability of the nomogram was certified by DCA.The optimal cut-off point for risk prediction value was 2.88, and the cumulative risk curves of each cohort showed significant differences between the high- and low-risk groups. Conclusions: The nomogram could predict and identify the NODM risk population, and provide guidance to physicians in monitoring and controlling blood glucose levels in PBLML patients after DP.