Desmoid type fibromatosis of the distal pancreas: A case report

Radiological features of pancreatic desmoid-type fibromatosis: a case series and systematic review

PURPOSE

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the radiological features of pancreatic desmoid-type fibromatosis (PDF) and systematically review the previous publications and two new cases.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science Core Collection and included 31 patients with pathologically proven PDFs with analyzable preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, including two patients from our institution and 29 patients from 28 publications. Two board-certified radiologists reviewed all images.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 39 years, with a male dominance observed (male, 54.8% vs. female, 45.2%). Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom, occurring in 58.1% of cases. Surgical resection was performed in all cases of PDFs, resulting in a recurrence rate of 8.3% (2/24). The tumors were most commonly located in the pancreatic tail (23/31, 74.2%). In terms of morphology, a "solid" shape was most prevalent (14/31, 45.2%), followed by a "solid and cystic" shape (9/31, 29.0%) and a "cystic" shape (8/31, 25.8%). Characteristic radiological features included heterogeneous enhancement of the solid portion of the tumors on CT scans (13/20, 65%), moderate-to-weak enhancement in the late phase on CT (16/17, 94.1%), and a presence of cystic components in the tumors (17/31, 54.8%). In 16.1% (5/31) of PDFs, the cystic component was pathologically confirmed to be a dilated pancreatic duct.

CONCLUSION

We summarized the clinical and imaging characteristics of PDF. Although the incidence may not be high, cystic components suggesting a dilated pancreatic duct within the tumor are unique imaging features in PDF.

Imaging of pancreatic desmoid fibromatosis by endoscopic ultrasound

Desmoid type fibromatosis (DTF) is a rare intermediate soft tissue tumor. Here we report a case of DTF located in the tail of pancreas. A 39-year-old female presented epigastric pain of 1 week duration. An abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3.4-cm irregular contour solid mass in the tail of the pancreas that was interpreted by radiology as suspicious for a benign pancreatic tumor. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) showed an irregularly shaped hypoechoic, heterogeneous mass within the tail of pancreas invading the adjacent gastric wall, suggesting a diagnosis of malignant pancreatic tumor. Subsequently, surgery consisted of a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and combined partial resection of the stomach, was performed. The immunohistochemistry and histopathological features were consistent with a diagnosis of pancreatic desmoid type fibromatosis. EUS is very useful for visually defining the location and character of pancreatic DTF and to determine whether the major vessels and the adjacent organs are infiltrated.

Systemic Thrombolysis for Isolated Splenic Vein Thrombosis Secondary to Oral Contraceptives: A Case Report

Isolated splenic vein thrombosis (ISVT) is a very rare venous thromboembolism in the absence of pancreatic diseases, which can cause acute abdominal pain and chronic left-side portal hypertension. Herein, we reported a 40-year-old female patient who developed ISVT after taking oral contraceptives. Anticoagulation with oral rivaroxaban was the first-line choice of therapy in this case. Since then, abdominal pain alleviated, but she did not achieve vessel recanalization. Thus, a 7-day systemic thrombolysis with urokinase was given. Abdominal pain disappeared, but ISVT was not significantly improved. During follow-up period, long-term anticoagulation with oral rivaroxaban was given. Collectively, this case indicates the possibility of oral contraceptives as a risk factor of ISVT as well as anticoagulation combined with systemic thrombolysis as a choice of treatment for ISVT. Certainly, long-term follow-up is necessary in this case.

Large Desmoid Tumor of the Pancreas: A Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Desmoid tumor (DT), also known as aggressive fibromatosis or desmoid-type fibromatosis, is a rare disease. It can occur in anyone at any age, and is more likely to appear in female patients. DTs are sometimes associated with familial adenomatous polyposis and rare syndromes such as Gardner syndrome. Arising from specific cells, fibroblasts, they tend to develop in patients with a history of abdominal surgery and rarely produce metastases. CASE REPORT We present a case of a 41-year-old man who was referred for abdominal discomfort with no digestive or general symptoms. An abdominal CT scan revealed a mass in the left hypochondrium, corresponding to an intraperitoneal tumor extending to left colon. Based on MRI, we suspected a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Colonoscopy showed no intraluminal tumor in the colon. A PET-CT scan revealed tumor hypermetabolism and no metastases. The mass was diagnosed as a DT after percutaneous biopsy. Six weeks after diagnosis and as the tumor continued increasing despite pharmacological treatment, the patient underwent surgical pancreatic tail resection with splenectomy and left colonic segmentectomy. Histological examination revealed a 7.047-g DT with severe infiltration of pancreatic parenchyma and transmural colic barrier, with no high-grade differentiation and negative resection margins. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, and we proposed surveillance with MRI. CONCLUSIONS The DT was surgically removed and patient remains under MRI surveillance. Other reported management approaches consist of radiotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-hormonal therapies/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy, or close surveillance only. This is, to our knowledge, the largest and heaviest DT reported in the modern literature.

A desmoid-type fibromatosis in the retroperitoneum of the gastro-pancreatic region that was resected with a distal pancreatomy: a case report

An 80-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of epigastric pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a well-defined circular intra-abdominal mass in the gastro-pancreatic region measuring 15 mm in diameter. After 6 months, the mass lesion was growing with mild enhancement, and weaker enhancement was found in the lower half of the mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The mass lesion touched the stomach, whereas adipose tissue appeared to intervene between the mass and pancreas. On magnetic resonance imaging, the well-defined mass lesion had isointensity to muscle on T1-weighted imaging, slight hyperintensity to muscle on T2-weighted imaging, which indicated a rich fibrous tumor. Under general anesthesia, the patient underwent open surgery. Intraoperatively, the tumor was separated from the stomach and firmly attached to the pancreas. Therefore, we performed a distal pancreatomy with splenic resection. Pathological diagnosis was desmoid-type fibromatosis in the retroperitoneum, and the tumor margin was attached to the pancreas, splenic artery, and splenic vein. Since there are few reports of desmoid-type fibromatosis occurring in the retroperitoneum of the gastropancreatic region, it is difficult to distinguish from other soft tissue tumors and to identify the tumor origin. Close observation by radiological re-valuation was a useful option. Magnetic resonance imaging signals and an enhanced pattern may help distinguish a desmoid-type fibromatosis from other soft tissue tumors. A desmoid-type fibromatosis that is well-defined in radiological findings may infiltrate the surrounding organs with gross or pathological analyses.

Large desmoid tumour of the small bowel mesentery

A 74-year-old man was being investigated for a pancreatic insulinoma when an incidental mesenteric mass measuring 2.6 cm x 2.5 cm was noticed on CT imaging. A wait-and-see approach was decided on. Thirty-nine months later, the patient presented with symptoms of abdominal obstruction. CT images revealed the mesenteric mass filled majority of the abdominal cavity and measured 29 cm x 26 cm x 16 cm. The patient underwent an open bypass gastrojejunostomy which stopped working a few weeks later due to further compression by the tumour. A debulking surgery was performed: a right hemicolectomy and small bowel resection with excision of the desmoid tumour and bypass gastrojejunostomy. The tumour measured 12.6 kg and was macroscopically visualised to have a white cut surface with a focal translucent area. Microscopic analysis revealed bland spindle cells with pale eosinophilic cytoplasm showing no cytological atypia, in keeping with a mesenteric desmoid tumour. Currently, two and a half years from the debulking surgery, the patient remains well and in remission with planned surveillance.