Pancreatic Cystic Mass

Excerpt

A 61-year-old man was hospitalized due to a palpable mass and abdominal pain with weight loss of more than 6 kg over the previous 6 months. On admission, vital signs were unremarkable and upon physical examination, he slightly felt a painful intumescence in the epigastria. The results of initial laboratory data showed a leukocytosis (WBC = 11,500/mm ~) and an elevated blood sedimentation rate (BSR = 85). Hydatidosis serology was negative, while serum CEA, α-FP and CA 19-9 levels were within normal limits. Serum amylase and lipase were normal. Ultrasound imaging showed the tumour to be located under the liver; it was sharply delimited, with a 16-cm diameter and mixed texture. CT scan revealed a cystic mass of the head of the pancreas; this lesion was heterogeneous and appeared septated on the arterial phase. No secondaries or enlarged intra-abdominal lymph nodes were seen (Fig. 1).

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