Rupture of small cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with many microtumors

Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are particularly rare. The various forms of PNETs, such as cystic degeneration, make differentiation from other similar pancreatic lesions difficult. We can detect small lesions by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and obtain preoperative pathological diagnosis by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). We describe, here, an interesting case of pNET in a 42-year-old woman with no family history. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an 18 mm × 17 mm cystic lesion with a nodule in the pancreatic tail. Two microtumors about 7 mm in diameter in the pancreatic body detected only by EUS, cystic rim and nodules all showed similar enhancement on contrast-harmonic EUS. Preoperative EUS-FNA of the microtumor was performed, diagnosing multiple pNETs. Macroscopic examination of the resected pancreatic body and tail showed that the cystic lesion had morphologically changed to a 13-mm main nodule, and 11 new microtumors (diameter 1-3 mm). Microscopically, all microtumors represented pNETs. From the findings of a broken peripheral rim on the main lesion with fibrosis, rupture of the cystic pNET was suspected. Postoperatively, pituitary adenoma and parathyroid adenoma were detected. The final diagnosis was multiple grade 1 pNETs with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. To the best of our knowledge, no case of spontaneous rupture of a cystic pNET has previously been reported in the English literature. Therefore, this case of very rare pNET with various morphological changes is reported.

Key Words: Rupture; Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; MEN1; NET; Microtumor

Core tip: Cystic or multiple pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are very rare. This report describes a case of cystic pNET with multiple small tumors diagnosed from endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) alone. Preoperative diagnosis was able to be obtained by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. Postoperatively, 11 other micro-pNETs with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 were detected and cystic pNET morphologically changed to a small nodule because of suspected spontaneous rupture. Spontaneous rupture of cystic pNET has not been reported previously in the English literature.

INTRODUCTION

Neuroendocrine tumors can arise in endocrine organs throughout the whole body and cause various clinical symptoms. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are particularly rare, representing only 1%-2% of all pancreatic neoplasms[1]. PNETs sometimes show various forms, such as cystic degeneration[2] or multiple microtumors[3], but such variations appear to be rare.

Most pNETs are solid and show strong enhancement during the arterial phases on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)[4-6]. Diagnosis is therefore relatively easy. However, morphologically changed pNETs, such as cystic pNETs, are difficult to differentiate from other pancreatic cystic tumors[7]. Multiple PNETs are often diagnosed in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)[8], but diagnosis of microtumors in the pancreas on CT is difficult. In such cases, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is superior to CT for detecting pNETs, particularly small lesions[9]. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS) allows the diagnosis as pNETs with hypervascular enhanced tumors with high sensitivity and specificity, and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) enables preoperative pathological diagnosis[10].

This paper presents a case of pNETs with microtumors detected only by EUS in a 42-year-old woman with MEN1. In addition, a rare event of spontaneous rupture of the cystic pNET was strongly suspected from the postoperative pathological findings.

CASE REPORT

A 42-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a pancreatic cystic lesion incidentally detected on unenhanced CT performed for inspection of painless enlargement of a cervical lymph node 1 mo earlier. No physical findings involving the abdomen were evident. No contributory family history was elicited. The patient had a history of urinary stones at 30-years-old. The only abnormality from laboratory tests was a mild elevation of liver enzymes.

Unenhanced CT revealed a 16 mm × 15 mm, somewhat obscure cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail (Figure 1A). Contrast-enhanced CT revealed an 18 mm × 17 mm cystic lesion with a well-defined, hyperenhanced thin peripheral rim and a nodule about 6 mm in diameter inside the rim (Figure 1B). The outer rim was enhanced to a greater degree than normal pancreatic parenchyma during the arterial phases of bolus contrast administration, and iso-enhanced during the portal venous phase (Figure 1B and C).

Figure 1 Findings from computed tomography. A: Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) shows a 16 mm × 15 mm, somewhat obscure cystic lesion (red arrow) in the pancreatic tail; B: Contrast-enhanced CT shows an 18 mm × 17 mm cystic lesion (red arrow) with a well-defined, hyper-enhanced, thin peripheral rim and a 6-mm nodule during the arterial phase; C: The outer rim appears iso-enhanced compared to normal pancreatic parenchyma during the portal venous phases (red arrow).

On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion in the pancreatic tail appeared hypointense and some areas appeared relatively hyperintense compared to inside the cyst on T1-weighted images (Figure 2A), and mainly hyperintense with a hypointense peripheral rim and nodule on T2-weighted images (Figure 2B). On diffusion-weighted images, the lesion appeared relatively hyperintense (Figure 2C). The lesion was not continuous with the main pancreatic duct on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (Figure 2D).

Figure 2 Findings from magnetic resonance imaging. A: The cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail (red arrow) appears hypointense and some areas appear relatively hyperintense compared to inside the cyst on T1-weighted images; B: The lesion (red arrow) appears mainly hyperintense, while the peripheral rim and nodule appear hypointense on T2-weighted images; C: The lesion (red arrow) appears relatively hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images; D: The lesion (red arrow) is not continuous with the main pancreatic duct on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

We also performed EUS, showing the cyst with a low echoic peripheral rim and nodule. Inside the cyst, no echoic fluid or solid structure was detected, and internal bleeding or necrosis was expected (Figure 3A). Apart from the main lesion, we detected two microtumors (7 mm and 6 mm in diameter) in the pancreatic body only on EUS (Figure 3B). On CH-EUS, the relatively thick rim of the cystic lesion, nodule and two microtumors showed similar enhancement from immediately after the injection of contrast medium (Figure 3C and D). We performed EUS-FNA of a 7-mm microtumor (Figure 3E).

Figure 3 Findings from EUS and CH-EUS. A: The lesion in the pancreatic tail shows a hypoechoic peripheral rim and nodule. Inside the cyst, no echoic fluid or solid structure is detected; B: A new, 7-mm microtumor in the pancreatic body, apparent only on EUS; C: The rim of the cystic lesion and nodule appear enhanced immediately after injection of contrast medium on CH-EUS; D: The 7-mm microtumor is similarly enhanced on CH-EUS; E: Endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration to biopsy the 7-mm microtumor. CH-EUS: Contrast-enhanced harmonic-endoscopic ultrasound; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasound.

Histopathologically, the EUS-FNA specimen comprised cells with round nuclei (hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×100; Figure 4A). Tumor cells were negative for CD10 and CD56 (Figure 4B and C), but positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin (Figure 4D and E) by immunohistochemical staining (×100). Based on these findings, multiple grade 1 endocrine neoplasms of the pancreas were diagnosed[11].

Figure 4 Histopathological findings for the specimen obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration. A: The specimen comprises cells with round nuclei arranged in sheets or rosettes (hematoxylin and eosin, ×100); B and C: Tumor cells show negative results for CD10 (B) and CD56 (C) immunohistochemical staining (×100); D and E: Tumor cells show positive results for chromogranin A (D) and synaptophysin (E) on immunohistochemical staining (×100).

Preoperatively, endocrine examination was performed. Abnormal laboratory results included elevated parathyroid hormone at 136 pg/mL (normal, 15-65 pg/mL) and cortisol at 25.1 μg/dL (normal, 4.5-21.1 μg/dL), while other values were within normal ranges. The tumor was non-functional pNET, because levels of pancreatic endocrine hormones such as insulin were not elevated. After sufficient preparation and obtaining consent from the patient and her family members, we performed laparoscopic spleen-preserving pancreatic body and tail resection 50 d after EUS-FNA.

Macroscopically, the main cystic lesion morphologically changed to a nodule 13 mm in diameter with internal scarring (Figure 5A and C), considered to represent traces of cystic degeneration. The microtumor in the pancreatic body on which EUS-FNA was performed was separate from the main lesion (Figure 5A and B). A scar from EUS-FNA was identified in the microtumor (Figure 5B). Besides the main lesion and two microtumors detected previously on EUS, 11 microtumors (1-3 mm diameters) were newly detected (Figure 5D).

Figure 5 Macroscopic findings for the resected pancreas. A: The main cystic lesion has morphologically changed to a 13-mm nodule (red square C). The microtumor in the pancreatic body on which EUS-FNA was performed was separate from the main lesion; B: A scar from EUS-FNA is evident in the microtumor (red arrow); C: The main nodule shows internal scarring; D: The main lesion and two microtumors detected on EUS, and another 11 new microtumors (1-3 mm) (blue areas). EUS-FNA: Endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration.

Microscopically, the main lesion comprised cells with round nuclei arranged in sheets or rosettes (Figure 6A), with < 2 mitoses per 50 high-power fields (Figure 6B). The Ki-67 index in the main lesion was 1.01%. All other microtumors showed similar findings (Figure 6C and D). After evaluating the potential causes of morphological changes to the main cystic lesion, the peripheral rim was considered most likely to have broken in one place, followed by fibrosis after inflammation (Figure 6E).

Figure 6 Microscopic findings for the resected pancreas. A: The main lesion (red arrow) comprises cells with round nuclei arranged in sheets or rosettes (hematoxylin and eosin, × 4); B: Less than 2 mitoses per 50 high-power fields are evident (hematoxylin and eosin, × 40); C and D: The other microtumors (red arrow) show similar findings (hematoxylin and eosin; C, × 4; D, × 10); E: The peripheral rim appears broken at one site, and fibrosis (red arrow) is evident with inflammation (hematoxylin and eosin, × 10). A trace of a cystic lumen is apparent below the red arrow.

After surgery, whole-body examination detected asymptomatic pituitary adenoma and parathyroid adenoma on MRI and ultrasound. The final diagnosis was multiple pNET grade 1, stage 1 T1N0M0 with MEN1 and a strong suspicion of spontaneous rupture of the cystic pNET. As of the time of writing, the patient remains alive without recurrence for more than 2 years postoperatively. Asymptomatic pituitary adenoma and parathyroid adenoma are being followed-up by an endocrine physician, and no clinical symptoms or abnormal results from blood testing have been encountered.

DISCUSSION

Image features of pNETs and various morphological changes

PNETs are rare and represent only 1%-2% of all pancreatic neoplasms[1]. However, due to the development of increasingly sophisticated imaging modalities, more pNETs are being reported[12].

The clinical symptoms of pNET primarily depend on whether the tumor is functional or non-functional, and the type of hormone produced by a functional tumor[1]. Most pNETs are solid lesions, but some are detected as tumor with cystic degeneration[2]. Cystic pNETs were classically considered very rare, but recent studies have suggested that cystic pNETs may be more common than previously reported[13]. Some studies have reported that 9.3%-21% of pNETs are detected as cystic degeneration on imaging modalities including CT, ultrasound, MRI, and EUS or by pathological examination of a resected specimen[14-19].

Solid pNETs are typically enhanced to a greater degree than normal pancreatic parenchyma during the arterial and portal venous phases of bolus contrast administration[4-6], because of the rich vascularity[20]. On the other hand, the radiological features of cystic pNETs have been suggested to represent an enhanced outer rim with blood flow-rich tissue[21]. As another specific finding of pNETs, multiple and microtumors in the pancreas are rarely detected. Multiple PNETs are often diagnosed in cases of MEN1[8], but diagnosis of microtumors in the pancreas on contrast-enhanced CT is difficult[9].

EUS as one of the best imaging modalities for small pNETs

EUS is superior to CT for detecting small pNETs. In a study of 231 pNETs, CT detected 84% of tumors but was more likely to miss lesions < 2 cm in diameter (P = 0.005), while the sensitivity of EUS for detecting 56 pNETs (91.7%) was greater than that of CT (63.3%; P = 0.0002), and EUS detected 20 of 22 CT-negative tumors (91%)[10]. Furthermore, CH-EUS allowed the diagnosis of hypervascularly enhanced tumors as pNETs with 78.9% sensitivity (95%CI: 61.4%-89.7%) and 98.7% specificity (95%CI: 96.7-98.8%) respectively[11].

In this manner, EUS appears useful for the diagnosis of pNETs, but we often encounter challenges, particularly in diagnosing cystic pNET. This is because we need to differentiate the pathology from other pancreatic cystic tumors, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, mucinous cystic neoplasm, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, serous cystic neoplasm, solid and cystic papillary tumors, or even non-neoplastic pseudocyst[7].

In such cases, we should consider EUS-FNA for preoperative histological diagnosis. EUS-FNA correctly diagnosed PNETs, offering 90.1% diagnostic accuracy[22]. When CH-EUS was combined with EUS-FNA, the sensitivity of EUS-FNA increased from 92.2% to 100%[11]. EUS-FNA accuracies for the malignancy of cystic and solid PNETs were 89.3% and 90% respectively[23], but EUS-FNA for cystic lesions of the pancreas is not recommended in Japan.

In our case, the cystic lesion in the pancreas tail was initially detected on CT. MRI was additionally performed, but we could not obtain a confirmed diagnosis from the imaging findings. The cystic lesion was evaluated in more detail and 2 new microtumors were detected in the pancreatic body only on EUS. In addition, the rim of the cyst and microtumors were hyperenhanced on CH-EUS, and we became confident the lesions represented pNETs. In addition, we performed EUS-FNS of a microtumor, and obtained pathological confirmation of the preoperative diagnosis.

Features of pNETs in MEN1

MEN is an autosomal-dominant inherited disease presenting with tumorous lesions, mainly in various endocrine organs[3], and 15% of MEN1 patients have no family history[24]. MEN1 is diagnosed when at least 2 of the main tumorous diseases (parathyroid tumor, pNET or pituitary tumor) are found, and hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent initial disease in MEN1 (85%)[25]. According to a Japanese nationwide survey, MEN1 was found in 10% of pNET patients. The type of pNET in MEN1 was gastrinoma in 25%, insulinoma in 14% and non-functioning in 6.1%[12]. In addition, PNETs in MEN1 often have multiple tumors in the pancreas, and 74% of pNET with MEN1 had multiple tumors[8].

Rupture of cystic neoplasms

This was a typical case of pNETs with MEN1, but spontaneous rupture of the cystic pNET was a remarkable feature. The rupture of a pancreatic neoplasm is very rare. Ruptures of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm[26-28], mucinous cystic neoplasm[29], acinar cell carcinoma[30,31] and anaplastic cell carcinoma[32] have been reported, but rupture of cystic pNET does not appear to have been described. Involvement of either infarction and liquefactive necrosis of a large tumor or internal hemorrhage have been considered as causes of cystic degeneration in pNETs[21,33]. The cause of cyst formation of cystic pancreatic NET, thus, remains controversial[15,34,35].

Spontaneous rupture of cystic lesions of the pancreas has been suggested due to high pressure inside the cyst or inflammatory stimulation by others factors, such as acute pancreatitis[27], but only a small number of cases have been reported, and the exact cause remains thusly unknown. In our case, internal bleeding, rather than necrosis, might have been involved in cystic degeneration. We performed EUS-FNA of the microtumor in the pancreatic body separate from the cystic pNET in the pancreatic tail, so EUS-FNA might not have been related to rupture.

We could not rule out the possibility that rupture was associated with instrumental pressure from EUS examinations, but such high pressure on the cystic lesion was considered unlikely to arise in normal EUS examination or EUS-FNA. The scar from EUS-FNA is shown in Figure 5B. The thin part of the rim was not intact, and thinning of the tumor part and high pressure inside the cyst were considered as causes, but more detailed causes of the rupture could not be clarified.

In conclusion, pNETs are rare and show various forms of tumor, such as cystic degeneration. PNETs with MEN1 often show multiple tumors, and detecting microtumors on CT or MRI is sometimes difficult so that EUS and CH-EUS should be performed. In addition, we should search for endocrine tumors in other organs affected by MEN1. To the best of our knowledge, spontaneous rupture has not been reported previously, so this case was reported.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank endoscopic engineers Ohata T, Yamasaki K. Sakata N, Tauchi M, Tasaki M, Matou M and Kudou C of Oita San-ai Medical Center, for their helpful technical assistance in EUS.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 42-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pancreatic cystic lesion found incidentally on computed tomography (CT). She had no relevant family history.

Clinical diagnosis

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) with many microtumors.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnoses included intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, mucinous cystic neoplasm, solid pseudopapillary tumor and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Laboratory diagnosis

Abnormal laboratory results included mild liver enzyme, cortisol and intact parathyroid hormone elevation in blood serum

Imaging diagnosis

Contrast-enhanced CT showed an 18 mm × 17 mm cystic lesion with a well-defined hyperenhanced thin peripheral rim. On magnetic resonance imaging, the lesion appeared mainly hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. On EUS, apart from the main lesion, two microtumors were detected (7 mm and 6 mm) in the pancreatic body.

Pathological diagnosis

The final pathological diagnosis was multiple grade 1 pNETs. The main cystic lesion changed to a 13-mm nodule, and spontaneous rupture of the cystic pNET was strongly suspected.

Treatment

The patient was treated with pancreatic body tail resection.

Related reports

Recent studies suggest that cystic pNETs may be more common than previously reported, but rupture of a cystic pNET has not been reported.

Term explanation

There are no non-standard terms used in this manuscript.

Experience and lessons

The authors present this case to share important knowledge for pNET diagnosis.

Peer-review

The authors reported an interesting case, which they believed to be a spontaneous rupture of cystic pNET with many microtumors.