Pancreatic cystic lymphangioma in a 6-year-old girl, diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine needle aspiration

Diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lymphangioma in an 11-year-old boy with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration: A case report

Introduction: Pancreatic cystic lymphangioma (PCL) is an extremely rare benign tumor of lymphatic origin. Traditionally, it is diagnosed at surgery performed on a patient with a retroperitoneal cyst of unclear etiology. However, recently a few single case reports showed PCL was successfully diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Case Report: We present a new case of PCL in an 11-year-old boy who came to our hospital for swelling of the body. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a 7.7×4.5 cm cystic lesion involving head and neck of the pancreas. EUS-FNA was subsequently performed and diagnosis of PCL was made based on result of cytological examination and measurement of aspirate. Conclusion: In agreement with previous reports, we show that EUS-FNA confirmed the cystic lesion in pancreas and further provided the gross, biochemical and cytological features supporting accurate diagnosis of PCL.

Cystic pancreatic lymphangioma diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration

Pancreatic lymphangiomas are rare, but benign neoplasms. Historically, the diagnoses in various case reports were mostly made after surgical resection. There are emerging data concerning the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to differentiate it from more sinister pancreatic cystic neoplasms. A confident preoperative diagnosis with EUS-FNA is crucial to avoid unnecessary workup or surgery, especially for small and asymptomatic lesions. Here, we present a rare case of asymptomatic pancreatic lymphangioma which was diagnosed with EUS-FNA. The case highlights that a preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic lymphangioma can be made with certainty.

Pancreatic cystic lesions: How endoscopic ultrasound morphology and endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration help unlock the diagnostic puzzle

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being diagnosed with increasing frequency, covering a vast spectrum from benign to malignant and invasive lesions. Numerous investigations can be done to discriminate between benign and non-evolutive lesions from those that require surgery. At the moment, there is no single test that will allow a correct diagnosis in all cases. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) morphology, cyst fluid analysis and cytohistology with EUS-guided fine needle aspiration can aid in this difficult diagnosis.