Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas: Differential Diagnosis and Radiology Correlation

Serous Cystadenoma of the Pancreas: An Easily Missed Cytological Diagnosis and Clues to Diagnosis

Serous cystadenoma (SCA) of the pancreas is a benign nonmucinous cystic pancreatic neoplasm and the second most common type of pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Conservative management is advocated in asymptomatic cases as they have indolent clinical behavior and risk for postoperative morbidity, making an exact diagnosis essential. Morphologically, serous cystadenoma has a prominent subepithelial capillary meshwork causing the aspirate to be paucicellular and nondiagnostic. Therefore, cytologic diagnosis can be challenging, resulting in repeat aspirations or even unnecessary surgical resections. Since this is a diagnosis that is often overlooked, herein we offer a concise review of SCA along with characteristic radiology findings, diagnostic criteria including ancillary studies and possible differential considerations.

Imaging features of epidermoid cysts in intrapancreatic spleen: a single center study of 24 patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the imaging features of epidermoid cysts within intrapancreatic accessory spleen (ECIPAS) to benefit the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiological and pathological data of 24 patients with pathologically confirmed ECIPAS. All cases underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) scans, with 4 cases further undergoing magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). The imaging features of the lesions were analyzed.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients were young to middle-aged with no apparent clinical symptoms. Over half of the masses exhibited circular, oval or unilocular architectures. On plain CT, the masses primarily displayed indistinct margins with an average diameter of 3.0 ± 1.1 cm. Nineteen lesions were situated in the pancreatic tail, 1 in the head, 1 in the head-body junction, and 3 in the body. In the arterial phases of enhanced CT scans, the lesions exhibited varying degrees of enhancement: slight enhancement (n = 11), significant enhancement (n = 5), and no discernible enhancement (n = 8) compared to pancreatic parenchyma. On MRCP scan, all four lesions showed hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI).

CONCLUSION

ECIPAS is a rare benign lesion, with nearly half exhibiting slightly uneven enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT scans. Usually, the solid-portion-enriched lesions show similar enhancement to that of the spleen, aiding in the precise preoperative diagnosis. ECIPAS can manifest in various locations within the pancreas, including the tail, head, and body. Patients may benefit from improved quality of life by avoiding unnecessary surgeries.

Advances for Managing Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: Integrating Imaging and AI Innovations

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) represent a spectrum of non-neoplasms and neoplasms with varying malignant potential, posing significant challenges in diagnosis and management. While some PCLs are precursors to pancreatic cancer, others remain benign, necessitating accurate differentiation for optimal patient care. Conventional approaches to PCL management rely heavily on radiographic imaging, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), coupled with clinical and biochemical data. However, the observer-dependent nature of image interpretation and the complex morphology of PCLs can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and variability in patient management strategies. This review critically evaluates current PCL diagnosis and surveillance practices, showing features of the different lesions and highlighting the potential limitations of conventional methods. We then explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform PCL management. AI-driven strategies, including deep learning algorithms for automated pancreas and lesion segmentation, and radiomics for analyzing heterogeneity, can improve diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification. These advanced techniques can provide more objective and reproducible assessments, aiding clinicians in decision-making regarding follow-up intervals and surgical interventions. Early results suggest that AI-driven methods can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier detection of high-risk lesions and reducing unnecessary procedures for benign cysts. Finally, this review emphasizes that AI-driven approaches could potentially reshape the landscape of PCL management, ultimately leading to improved pancreatic cancer prevention.

The Effectiveness of Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography in the Differentiation of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: A Single-Center Experience

Background/Aims

Radiological imaging advancements have led to a rise in pancreatic cyst diagnoses. Apart from imaging modalities, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an important method in the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical, laboratory, biochemical, radiological, and endosonographic features of pancreatic cysts and to assess the effectiveness of EUS and computed tomography (CT) in differentiating between neoplastic and nonneoplastic cysts.

Materials and Methods

Patients with pancreatic cysts diagnosed by CT, who underwent EUS at the EUS Laboratory of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Gastroenterology Department, between 2010 and 2015, were retrospectively evaluated. Size, location, number, and morphological features were compared. Samples for cytology and biochemical tests were obtained through EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Results

The study group included 212 patients. Among them, 125 (59%) patients underwent EUS-FNA. Of these, 63 (52%) were neoplastic, 29 (24%) were nonneoplastic, and 29 (24%) lacked subgroup analysis. The sensitivity of CT in differentiating between neoplastic and nonneoplastic cysts was 82.1% [CI, 68.2%-91.9%], with a specificity of 61.1% (CI, 38.2%-81%) and diagnostic accuracy of 75.4%. Regarding EUS, the sensitivity was 96.7% (CI, 90.2%-99.4%), with a specificity of 45.8% (CI, 27.1%-65.4%) and diagnostic accuracy of 82.3%.

Conclusion

Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated enhanced sensitivity compared with CT in differentiating neoplastic from nonneoplastic pancreatic cysts. Although no statistical significance was found, this result can be considered clinically remarkable. In addition, EUS displayed distinct advantages in visualizing specific morphological features, emphasizing its potential as a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Imaging of pancreatic serous cystadenoma and common imitators

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms are lesions comprised of cystic components that show different biological behaviors, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, imaging features, and malignant potential and management. Benign cystic neoplasms include serous cystic neoplasms (SCAs). Other pancreatic cystic lesions have malignant potential, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms. SCAs can be divided into microcystic (classic appearance), honeycomb, oligocystic/macrocystic, and solid patterns based on imaging appearance. They are usually solitary but may be multiple in von Hippel-Lindau disease, which may depict disseminated involvement. The variable appearances of SCAs can mimic other types of pancreatic cystic lesions, and cross-sectional imaging plays an important role in their differential diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography has helped in improving diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic cystic lesions by guiding tissue sampling (biopsy) or cyst fluid analysis. Immunohistochemistry and newer techniques such as radiomics have shown improved performance for preoperatively discriminating SCAs and their mimickers.

A Unique Presentation of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas Requiring Pancreaticoduodenectomy Without Pancreatojejunostomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are rare tumors that predominantly affect young females and are typically located in the body and tail of the pancreas. Here, we present the case of a 59-year-old male with a large, heavily calcified SPN in the pancreatic head. His surgical history includes an aborted pancreaticoduodenectomy due to vascular involvement, followed by a gastrojejunostomy. Twenty years after the initial discovery, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed - the first of its kind - where the pancreas was completely atrophied, and no pancreaticojejunostomy was performed. Histological examination revealed typical features of SPN. This case demonstrates that even with relatively large lesions in a male patient over an extended duration, SPNs can still exhibit favorable features, highlighting the absence of specific preoperative markers for aggressive tumors. Therefore, unless there is an absolute contraindication, complete resection of all SPNs remains advisable.

A Simple Overview of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment for Clinical Oncologists

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive solid tumors and is showing increasing incidence. The aim of our review is to provide practical help for all clinical oncologists and to summarize the current management of PDAC using a simple "ABC method" (A-anatomical resectability, B-biological resectability and C-clinical conditions). For anatomically resectable PDAC without any high-risk factors (biological or conditional), the actual standard of care is represented by surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The remaining PDAC patients should all be treated with initial systemic therapy, though the intent for each is different: for borderline resectable patients, the intent is neoadjuvant; for locally advanced patients, the intent is conversion; and for metastatic PDAC patients, the intent remains just palliative. The actual standard of care in first-line therapy is represented by two regimens: FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. Recently, NALIRIFOX showed positive results over gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. There are limited data for maintenance therapy after first-line treatment, though 5-FU or FOLFIRI after initial FOLFIRINOX, and gemcitabine, after initial gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, might be considered. We also dedicate space to special rare conditions, such as PDAC with germline BRCA mutations, pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas, with few clinically relevant remarks.

Prevalence of a BRCA2 Pathogenic Variant in Hereditary-Breast-and-Ovarian-Cancer-Syndrome Families with Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Restricted Italian Area

PVs and LPVs in BRCA1/2 genes are correlated to a high risk of developing breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer (Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome, HBOC); additionally, in recent years, an increasing number of BRCA 1/2 variants have been identified and associated with pancreatic cancer. Epidemiologic studies have highlighted that inherited factors are involved in 10% to 20% of PCs, mainly through deleterious variants of BRCA2. The frequency of BRCA1/2 germline alterations fluctuates quite a lot among different ethnic groups, and the estimated rate of PVs/LPVs variants in Italian HBOC families is not very accurate, according to different reports. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence of a BRCA2 PV observed in a selected cohort of HBOC patients and their relatives, whose common origin is the eastern coast of Emilia Romagna, a region of Italy. This study provides insight into the frequency of the variant detected in this area and provides evidence of an increased risk of pancreatic and breast cancer, useful for genetic counseling and surveillance programs.

Fully automated magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics analysis for differentiating pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To develop and validate an automated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based model to preoperatively differentiate pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with surgically resected, histopathologically confirmed PASC or PDAC who underwent MRI between January 2011 and December 2020. According to time of treatment, they were divided into training and validation sets. Automated deep-learning-based artificial intelligence was used for pancreatic tumor segmentation. Linear discriminant analysis was performed with conventional MRI and radiomic features to develop clinical, radiomics, and mixed models in the training set. The models' performances were determined from their discrimination and clinical utility. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 389 and 123 patients with PDAC (age, 61.37 ± 9.47 years; 251 men) and PASC (age, 61.99 ± 9.82 years; 78 men) were included, respectively; they were split into the training (n = 358) and validation (n = 154) sets. The mixed model showed good performance in the training and validation sets (area under the curve: 0.94 and 0.96, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 76.74%, 93.38%, and 89.39% for the training set, respectively, and 67.57%, 97.44%, and 90.26% for the validation set, respectively. The mixed model outperformed the clinical (p = 0.001) and radiomics (p = 0.04) models in the validation set. Log-rank test revealed significantly longer survival in the predicted PDAC group than in the predicted PASC group (p = 0.003), according to the mixed model.

CONCLUSION

Our mixed model, which combined MRI and radiomic features, can be used to differentiate PASC from PDAC.

A case of serous cystic neoplasm with tumor growth acceleration leading to extrapancreatic invasion

Serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) is a potentially malignant and invasive disease. However, there are no established guidelines regarding the surgical management of SCN. Here, we report a case of SCN with jejunal invasion that ultimately required a distal pancreatectomy with partial resection of the jejunum. The patient was a 65-year-old female who was referred to our department after a diagnosis of SCN in the pancreatic tail. CT and MRI showed a 75-mm multifocal cystic mass with calcifications; the splenic vein and left adrenal vein were entrapped within the tumor. Furthermore, the tumor was in contact with the beginning of the jejunum. Finally, she underwent a posterior radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy with a partial wedge-shaped resection of the jejunum. Histological findings indicated serous cystadenoma. In addition, the tumor cells were found to have infiltrated the jejunal muscularis propria in some areas, suggesting that the tumor had malignant potential. Currently, 14 months have passed since surgery and there is no evidence of metastasis or recurrence. Surveillance and the decision to perform surgical resection should be made based on tumor size and growth rate to avoid malignant transformation as well as to provide SCN patients with organ-sparing, less invasive surgery.

Pancreatic Incidentaloma

Pancreatic incidentalomas (PIs) represent a clinical entity increasingly recognized due to advances in and easier access to imaging techniques. By definition, PIs should be detected during abdominal imaging performed for indications other than a pancreatic disease. They range from small cysts to invasive cancer. The incidental diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can contribute to early diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, inadequate management of PIs may result in overtreatment and unneeded morbidity. Therefore, there is a strong need to evaluate the nature and clinical features of individual PIs. In this review, we summarize the major characteristics related to PIs and present suggestions for their management.