The Pan African Medical Journal (Aug 2017)

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas in two male patients: gender does not matter

  • Faten Limaiem,
  • Hafedh Mestiri,
  • Saloua Mejri,
  • Ahlem Lahmar,
  • Sabeh Mzabi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.27.283.9800
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 283

Abstract

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Solid pseudopapillary tumour (SPT) is an unusual pancreatic neoplasm which predominantly affects young women. Less than 10% of patients with SPT in the reported literature were male. In this paper, the authors report two new cases of SPT that occurred in two male patients aged respectively 25 and 20 years old. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a well-defined heterogeneous mass involving respectively the tail and the body of the pancreas with peripheral calcifications in the first case. The two patients underwent distal splenopancreatectomy. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen coupled with immunohistochemical study was compatible with solid pseudopapillary tumour. On postoperative day 8, the first patient developed abdominal wall abscess and peritoneal collection. Postoperative course was uneventful for the second patient. In summary, a large, well-encapsulated cystic mass in the pancreas of a young man should raise suspicion of solid pseudopapillary tumour.

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