Lipoma of the pancreas: diagnosis and management of these rare tumors

Pancreatic lipoma: a pancreatic incidentaloma; diagnosis with ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Pancreatic lipomas are rare. We present a case of incidentally discovered pancreatic lipoma in a 45-year-old female suffering from metastatic ovarian carcinoma who was referred to radiology for follow-up imaging. Fat-containing tumours originating from the pancreas are very rare. Most lipomasshow characteristic features on imaging that allow their differentiation. In most cases, accurate diagnosis is attained without any histopathological confirmation. We present the imaging features of pancreatic lipoma on ultrasound, CT scan and MRI, the differential diagnosis and a brief review of the literature.

Incidental pancreatic lipomas diagnosed by computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

Fatty tumours of the pancreas are rarely reported. With the advent of the imaging techniques, diagnosis of such tumours based on radiologic imaging is increasing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2006 and June 2012, four patients with pancreatic lipomas that were diagnosed by computed tomography were reviewed retrospectively with regard to their imaging findings. There were 3 male and one female patient with a mean age of 60.8 years (from 53 to 67 years).

RESULTS

A single well-bordered nodular fatty lesion with well-delineated thin homogeneous capsule was seen in all patients. The mean densitometric measurement of the lesions was -76 Hounsfield units (HU) (from -83 HU to -63 HU). The size of the lesions was from 7 mm to 12 mm with a mean of 8.75mm. They were located in the tail, body and neck of the pancreas in two, one and one patient, respectively. There was no associated pancreatobiliary pathology. Histopathologic evaluation was not planned because of their incidental diagnosis in these asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic lipomas are silent lesions, incidentally found during imaging procedures. They have specific computed tomography findings and do not require any additional diagnostic imaging.

Large pancreatic lipoma in a 69-year-old diabetic woman: diagnostic considerations

Pancreatic mesenchymal neoplasms are very rare pancreatic tumours. One of them is pancreatic lipoma, often diagnosed incidentally. We herein report a case of a large lipoma of the pancreatic head, diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (FNA) biopsy. Regarding its benign character, silent clinical course and excellent prognosis of invasive surgical removal was avoided. We propose here the diagnostic and therapeutic management of these rare pancreatic tumours. Computed tomography is the most accurate method to diagnose pancreatic lipoma. Nevertheless large tumours may need confirmation by FNA in differential diagnosis of liposarcoma.