Repeating regional acute pancreatitis in the head of the pancreas caused by intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms in the tail: report of a case.

Abstract

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a distinct entity characterized by papillary proliferations of mucin-producing epithelial cells with excessive mucin production and cystic dilatation of the pancreatic ducts. The clinical presentation often involves recurrent episodes of pancreatitis associated with the temporal obstruction of the main pancreatic duct caused by the hypersecretion of mucin. We herein describe a case in which the patient repeatedly experienced the occurrence of idiopathic acute pancreatitis in the head of the pancreas over a 9-year period, and who was ultimately was cured by distal pancreatectomy for IPMNs in the pancreatic tail. This case illustrates the potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of IPMNs owing to a discrepancy between the site of pancreatitis and that of the IPMN. The possible mechanisms linking acute pancreatitis with the formation of IPMNs are also reviewed.

• Authors: Sadaki Asari, Ippei Matsumoto, Hirochika Toyama, Makoto Shinzeki, Tadahiro Goto, Sachiyo Shirakawa, Isamu Yamada, Tetsuo Ajiki, Takumi Fukumoto, Tomoo Ito, Yonson Ku
• Journal: Surgery today (Surg Today) Vol. 42 Issue 4 Pg. 398-402 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1436-2813 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 22327284 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous (pathology, surgery)
• Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal (pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Pancreas (pathology, surgery)
• Pancreatectomy
• Pancreatic Ducts (pathology)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Pancreatitis (pathology, surgery)