Image Findings of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms of the Pancreas on Multiphasic Multidetector CT Scan– A Single Institute Experience from Southern India

Abstract

Introduction: Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms (SPN) are uncommon pancreatic tumours and are slow growing with uncertain malignant potential, showing female preponderance. Postoperative prognosis is good and metastasis is rare. Aim: To summarise the imaging and pathological features of seven cases of SPN in three years period, from January 2013 to January 2016. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study the imaging features of seven cases on triphasic multidetector Computed Tomogram (CT), a 16-slice scanner, were reviewed along with CT-guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and histopathological examination. Statistics were expressed in terms of percentiles. Results: All cases were female patients with an age range of 13- 35 years (mean: 23.3 years). On CT assessment, the size of the tumours varied from 2.5-14 cm (mean: 5.3 cm). All these tumours were well capsulated and round to oval in shape. In four out of seven cases, the tumour was located in the tail of pancreas. All the solid enhancing portions showed moderate enhancement of at least 20-30 HU compared to unenhanced scan, on the other hand the cystic parts remained unenhanced with <5 HU variation in comparison to the plain scan. Histopathological examination exhibited characteristic poorly cohesive cuboidal cells arranged in papillaroid pattern having fine nuclear chromatin with nuclear grooves. Conclusion: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is a high diagnostic possibility in case of a young female having pancreatic mass and needs to be evaluated with triphasic contrast enhanced CT scan, followed by FNAC and or histopathological examination.

Keywords

• contrast enhancement
• nuclear grooves
• pseudopapillary
• solid
• solid-cystic
• tumour