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Synchronous granular cell tumors of the pancreas and cecum
Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Clinical Imaging journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/clinimag
Synchronous granular cell tumors of the pancreas and cecum Alejandro Garces-Descovich Koenraad J. Mortelea,1
a,⁎,1
, Mark P. Callery
b,1
c,1
, Kevin R. Anderson , Vitaliy Y. Poylin
T d,1
,
a
Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Pancreas and Liver Institute, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA d Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA b c
A R T I C LE I N FO
A B S T R A C T
Keywords: Granular cell tumor Pancreas Cecum Radiology
Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare and typically benign. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific imaging characteristics and symptomatology. Herein, we report a combination of pancreatic/cecal GCTs in a 43-year-old man. Contrast enhanced MDCT demonstrated a 1.5 cm well-defined homogeneous intraluminal cecal mass and a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic body mass. On MRI, the pancreatic mass showed increased enhancement on post-gadolinium delayed sequences. Diagnosis was confirmed by excisional pathology (S100 and CD68, PAS-D positive). Radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons should ponder the possibility of GCTs in the differential diagnosis of any small, pancreatic or cecal well-defined tumor.
1. Introduction Granular cell tumors (GCT) are very uncommon tumors that usually appear as solitary, small neoplasms and that habitually follow a benign course [1]. Malignancy is reported in < 2% of cases. Even though a clear histopathogenesis of the tumor remains challenging, recent authors [2–4] suggest a derivation from Schwan cells. A clear positivity to S100 and CD68, PAS reactivity and diastase-resistance [5], a lack of immunoreactivity for Ki-67 [6], and a low p53 activity [2] makes a GCT diagnosis plausible. GCT can occur at any age [7], and in virtually every organ of the body [8] but the soft tissues of the trunk and the tongue are reportedly the most common locations [9]. In the gastrointestinal tract, GCTs are seldom and most commonly found in the esophagus, followed by the colon [10,11]. Most are identified unexpectedly during endoscopic studies [12]. Due to their rare occurrence and only few reports in the medical literature, imaging characteristics for GCTs in the gastrointestinal tract are not definite [4,13]. Similarly, pancreatic GCTs are exceedingly rare with only 8 reported cases thus far [13]. Tumors presented as well-defined, hypovascular masses possibly causing duct obstruction, mimicking a hypovascular pancreatic endocrine tumor
[14]. Herein we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of pancreatic and cecal GCTs in the radiologic literature as well as their synchronic presentation. Familiarity with this entity and its imaging appearances may help recognize GCT as a possible differential diagnostic consideration in a patient with a solid well-defined pancreatic mass, especially if similar lesions are present in other organ systems. 2. Case report A 43-year-old Caucasian man presented to our institution for surgical consultation for management of a presumed granular cell tumor involving the right colon. His medical history was notable for seven months of heartburn, chest pain, increasing stooling and one episode of hematochezia along with an unintended 10 pounds weight loss. Optical colonoscopy with biopsy and staging CT were obtained at the outside institution prior to transfer. The abdominal CT scan with oral contrast demonstrated a homogeneous 1.5 cm intraluminal cecal lesion with well-defined borders, but also segmental pancreatic ductal dilation and relative atrophy in the distal body and tail of the pancreas. No clear pancreatic mass was observed (Fig. 1).
⁎ Corresponding author at: Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue – Ansin 235, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A. Garces-Descovich), [email protected] (M.P. Callery), [email protected] (K.R. Anderson), [email protected] (V.Y. Poylin), [email protected] (K.J. Mortele). 1 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2018.07.011 Received 22 May 2018; Received in revised form 6 July 2018; Accepted 10 July 2018 0899-7071/ © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
A. Garces-Descovich et al.
Fig. 1. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. A. Axial and sagittal images show a 1.5 cm well-defined homogeneous intraluminal mass (white arrows) in the caecum next to the ileo-cecal valve. B. Axial image shows pancreatic ductal dilation in the body and tail with relative atrophy of the parenchyma (white arrowheads).
patchy positivity (wild-type) and a low proliferative index (< 5%) respectively. No significant mitotic activity or necrosis was seen (Fig. 5). The findings were consistent with a multi-centric synchronous granular cell tumor involving both the pancreas and the cecum.
Pathological evaluation of the cecal lesion, following endoscopic biopsy, revealed a tumor positive for periodic acid Schiff (PAS), periodic acid Schiff diastase (PAS-D) and S-100 without prominent atypia or necrosis; findings were consistent with a granular cell tumor (GCT). A subsequent MRCP examination was performed at our institution to evaluate the cause of dilation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Both intravenous (7 mL of Gadavist) and oral contrast (1 cc of Gadavist mixed with 50 cc of water) were administered. The examination was notable for segmental dilation of the MPD up to 5 mm within the pancreatic tail with irregularity and abrupt non visualization of the MPD at the body-tail junction. Associated parenchymal tail atrophy was found, along with loss of intrinsic T1 hyperintensity, due to chronic inflammation and duct obstruction. A small pancreatic body enhancing focus was noted on delayed post‑gadolinium fat-suppressed T1weighted images (Fig. 2). On DWI, no restriction was observed. A presumed diagnosis of a small pancreatic endocrine tumor was rendered. A PET scan after the administration of Ga-68 labeled dotatate yielded physiologic uptake throughout the body without pathological uptake in the pancreatic body or tail. Finally, a preoperative multiphasic CTA, 11 months following the initial presentation, showed mild atrophy of the distal pancreas with duct dilation and a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic mass located in the proximal pancreatic body; no local vascular invasion was evidenced (Fig. 3). An intraoperative ultrasound of the pancreas was performed and showed a well-defined sub-centimeter hypoechoic nodule with a dilated MDP (Fig. 4). The patient then underwent a combined robotic-assisted minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and right hemicolectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. By immunohistochemistry, both masses were positive for S100 and CD68 as well as PAS-D positive. Tumor proteins p53 and Ki67 showed weak,
3. Discussion This case study presents the unusual presentation of a 43-year-old Caucasian man with pathological proven granular cell tumors (GCT) of both the pancreas and the cecum. The patient was referred to our institution with a colonoscopic biopsy that revealed an uncommon histologic diagnosis in the cecum near the ileo-cecal valve. Additionally, MDCT showed a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic body mass. On MRI, the pancreatic mass presented as a small focus of enhancement and duct obstruction. Pathological diagnosis was confirmed by surgical excision. Both tumors stained positive to CD68 and S100 with positive PAS-D staining. Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare neoplasms of neuro-ectodermal nature with a very low malignant potential [9]. GCT were first described by Abrikossoff in 1926 [15] as a tumor of muscular origin, hence its original name of “myoblastoma” [4,16]. A prior study by Vered et al., suggests that GCT might be a lesion that echoes metabolic imbalances or inflammatory reactive changes rather than being a true de novo neoplasm [17]. However, current immunohistochemistry data suggests a clear neuronal derivation [4]. Cells in GCTs indeed show positivity in staining for S100 [6] which is a particular acidic protein that exists in peripheral Schwann cells and satellite cells of ganglia [13]. These immunological findings are congruent with our patient's pathological findings of S100 positivity in both his cecal and pancreatic masses. GCTs typically present as painless and circumscribed nodules 96
Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
A. Garces-Descovich et al.
Fig. 4. Robotic intra-operative ultrasound evaluation of the pancreas. Color Doppler image shows normal pancreatic parenchyma with a well-defined sub-centimeter hypoechoic nodule in the body/tail (arrow) and the relationship of the lesion to surrounding vasculature for adequate surgical planning.
predominantly in the oral cavity, measuring < 3 cm in size [2]. Previous authors have found GCTs in multiple organs, particularly in patients of African American descent [2,18,19]. GCTs are also normally found in female patients (75%) in their second and fourth decades of life [16]. In our case, demographical data were therefore distinct to previous studies [8]. Granular cell tumors are a very rare entity in the pancreas [3,13]. As for the gastrointestinal tract, GCTs usually present in the esophagus, followed by the colon [20]. The cecum/right colon area is the most common location for a GCT in the colon [21]. Imaging characteristics for both are non-specific [13]. In the single case of limited radiological description of GCT of the colon, Rajagopal et al. [4], found a 2 × 2.8 cm homogeneous enhancing mass with well-defined borders and no peripheral wall thickening on MDCT. Even though the homogeneity in enhancement pattern and the lack of radiological inflammatory signs are concordant with our case, the diameter (1.5 cm) of the cecal mass makes GCTs variable in size. Regarding pancreatic GCT, in a recent publication, Takahashi et al. [13], reviewed all know reported cases (n = 8) from 1975 to 2018 of pancreatic GCTs and described the main characteristics of the tumors. The location of the GCT was found to be in the pancreatic body in half of the cases, similar to our patient. Moreover, the size of the tumor was described in 7 of the 8 cases with a mean size of 0.97 ± 0.56 cm (range: 0.5–2.0 cm); our case, with a size of 1.6 cm, is therefore at the larger end of the reported spectrum. Likewise, MPD dilation by MDCT was present in 50% (4/8) of cases. Reported MR imaging features of the pancreas are heterogeneous. Only two authors have described the MRI findings. Takahashi et al., described hypointensity on T1W, isointensity on T2W and hyperintensity on DWI [13]. Kanno et al., [3] presented a case with hypointensity on T1W but areas of hyperintensity on T2W (and no description on DWI). Our case presented with isointensity on T1W, isointensity onT2W and no restricted diffusion on DWI. However, there was a small focus of increased enhancement on post‑gadolinium delayed sequences. As aforementioned, pancreatic as well as cecal GCTs are very rare entities. However, radiological differential diagnoses for pancreatic GCT includes tumors with variable enhancement and associated pancreatic duct dilation. Therefore, pancreatic cancer and serotonin producing neuroendocrine tumors represent the most common differentials [3]. As for cecal GCT, differential diagnoses include any lesions with a smooth, polypoid appearance such as colonic polyps,
Fig. 2. Magnetic resonance imaging. A. Coronal magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) maximum intensity projection (MIP) image shows segmental dilation of the main pancreatic duct up to 4 mm (white arrowheads) within the pancreatic tail with abrupt non visualization of the duct in the pancreatic body (green arrow). B. Axial delayed phase fat-suppressed T1-weighted image shows a small focus of increased enhancement (arrow). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 3. Computed tomography angiography (CTA). A. Axial image shows a lobular, slightly hyperdense, well-defined mass located in the pancreatic body that measures 1.6 cm at the greatest dimension (arrow).
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Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
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Fig. 5. Histopathological evaluation with H&E-stained and immunostained slides. A. Pancreatic H&E-stained slides with round to polygonal cells and fine granular cytoplasm with occasional eosinophilic droplets and hyperchromatic small nuclei (×10). Inset: Positive PAS-D staining (×20). B. Pancreatic immunoreaction with cytoplasm positive for S-100 protein (×10) with normal pancreatic tissue (asterix). Inset: Positive CD-68 reactivity (×10). C. Cecal H&E-stained slides show polygonal cells and fine granular eosinophilic cytoplasm with uniform round nuclei (×10) with normal colonic tissue (asterix). Inset: Positive PAS-D staining (×10). D. Cecal immunoreaction with cytoplasm positive for S-100 protein (×10). Inset: Positive CD-68 reactivity (×10).
carcinoid tumors, leiomyomas, GIST, and ganglioneuromas [22,23].
case report. 2010. (ISRN Gastroenterol, https://doi.org/2011;2011:943804). [2] Roncati L, Manco G, Italia S, et al. Granular cell tumor of the appendix: a new case and review of the literature. SpringerPlus 2013;2:649. https://doi.org/10.1186/ 2193-1801-2-649. [3] Kanno A, Satoh K, Hirota M, et al. Granular cell tumor of the pancreas: A case report and review of literature. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2010;15(2(2)):121–4. https:// doi.org/10.4251/wjgo.v2.i2.121. [4] Rajagopal MD, Gochhait D, Shanmugan D, Barwad AW. Granular cell tumor of cecum: a common tumor in a rare site with diagnostic challenge. Rare Tumors 2017;29(9(2)):6420. https://doi.org/10.4081/rt.2017.6420. [5] Bitar M, Khalid A, Afif A, et al. Granular cell tumor: case report. J Saudi Soc Dermatol Dermatol Surg 2011;15(1):25–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssdds.2010. 10.005. [6] Rejas RA, Campos MS, Cortes AR, Pinto DD, de Sousa SC. The neural histogenetic origin of the oral granular cell tumor: an immunohistochemical evidence. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2011;16(1):6–10. [7] Said-al-Naief N, Brandwein M, Lawson W, Gordon R, Lumerman H. Synchronous lingual granular cell tumor and squamous carcinoma. A case report and review of the literature. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;123(5):543–7. [8] McGhan LJ, Wasif N, Young SW, Collins JM, McCullough AE. Granular-cell tumor of the anterior abdominal wall. Radiol Case Rep 2015;7(3):716. https://doi.org/10. 2484/rcr.v7i3.716. [9] Christopher DM, Fletcher C. Diagnostic histopathology of tumors. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2013. p. 2045–7. [10] Tohnosu N, Matsui Y, Ozaki M, Koide Y, et al. Granular cell tumor of the esophagus—report of a case and review of the literature. Jpn J Surg 1991;21(4):444–9. [11] Sarsik B, Doğanavşargil B, Ozkök EE, et al. Granular cell tumor of colon. Turk J Gastroenterol 2008;19(1):73–4. [12] Saleh H, El-Fakharany M, Frankle M. Multiple synchronous granular cell tumors involving the colon, appendix and mesentery: a case report and review of the literature. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis 2009;18(4):475–8. [13] Takahashi K, Mikata R, Tsuyuguchi T, Kumagai J, et al. Granular cell tumor of the pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Clin J Gastroenterol 2018;2018:27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12328-018-0821-0.
4. Conclusion This represents the first reported case of synchronous pancreatic and cecal granular cell tumors. GCTs possess non-specific/non-descript imaging findings, such as hypo/isointensity on T1W and isointensity on T2W that mimic common pancreatic tumors. A simultaneous GCT should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a newly detected mass whenever a history of granular cell tumor is known. Disclosure There are no conflicts of interests, financial or commercial relationships to disclose for any author included in the manuscript. IRB statement Approval for this prospective study was obtained from our institutional review board and was deemed compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Due to the retrospective nature of this case report, patient written consent was waived. References [1] Znati K, Harmouch T, Benlemlih A, et al. Solitary granular cell tumor of cecum: a
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5th ed.St. Louis: Mosby; 2007. p. 825–901. [19] Rosai J. Houston M, Scott J, editors. Rosai and Ackerman's surgical pathology; soft tissues. 2nd ed.Edinburgh: Mosby; 2004. p. 2237–371. [20] Singhi AD, Montgomery EA. Colorectal granular cell tumor: a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34(8):1186–92. [21] Odze R, Goldblum J. Pathology of the GI tract, liver, biliary tract and pancreas. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2014. p. 645. [22] Pickhardt PJ. Differential diagnosis of polypoid lesions seen at CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Radiographics 2004;24(6):1535–56. [23] Pickhardt PJ, Kim DH, Menias CO, Gopal DV, Arluk GM, Heise CP. Evaluation of submucosal lesions of the large intestine: part 1. Neoplasms. Radiographics 2007;27(6):1681–92.
[14] Humphrey PE, Alessandrino F, Bellizzi AM, Mortele KJ. Non-hyperfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors: multimodality imaging features with histopathological correlation. Abdom Imaging 2015;40(7):2398–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s00261-015-0458-0. [15] Abrikossoff A. Ueber Myome ausgehened von der quergestreiften willkuerlichen Muskulatur. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat 1926;260:215–33. https://doi.org/10. 1007/BF02078314. [16] Singh VA, Gunasagaran J, Pailoor J. Granular cell tumour: malignant or benign? Singap Med J 2015;56(9):513–7. https://doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2015136. [17] Vered M, Carpenter WM, Buchner A. Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: updated immunohistochemical profile. J Oral Pathol Med 2009;38(1):150–9. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1600-0714.2008.00725. [18] Weiss SW. Weiss SW, Goldblum JR, editors. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft tissue tumors.
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Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Clinical Imaging journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/clinimag
Synchronous granular cell tumors of the pancreas and cecum Alejandro Garces-Descovich Koenraad J. Mortelea,1
a,⁎,1
, Mark P. Callery
b,1
c,1
, Kevin R. Anderson , Vitaliy Y. Poylin
T d,1
,
a
Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Pancreas and Liver Institute, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA d Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA b c
A R T I C LE I N FO
A B S T R A C T
Keywords: Granular cell tumor Pancreas Cecum Radiology
Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare and typically benign. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific imaging characteristics and symptomatology. Herein, we report a combination of pancreatic/cecal GCTs in a 43-year-old man. Contrast enhanced MDCT demonstrated a 1.5 cm well-defined homogeneous intraluminal cecal mass and a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic body mass. On MRI, the pancreatic mass showed increased enhancement on post-gadolinium delayed sequences. Diagnosis was confirmed by excisional pathology (S100 and CD68, PAS-D positive). Radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons should ponder the possibility of GCTs in the differential diagnosis of any small, pancreatic or cecal well-defined tumor.
1. Introduction Granular cell tumors (GCT) are very uncommon tumors that usually appear as solitary, small neoplasms and that habitually follow a benign course [1]. Malignancy is reported in < 2% of cases. Even though a clear histopathogenesis of the tumor remains challenging, recent authors [2–4] suggest a derivation from Schwan cells. A clear positivity to S100 and CD68, PAS reactivity and diastase-resistance [5], a lack of immunoreactivity for Ki-67 [6], and a low p53 activity [2] makes a GCT diagnosis plausible. GCT can occur at any age [7], and in virtually every organ of the body [8] but the soft tissues of the trunk and the tongue are reportedly the most common locations [9]. In the gastrointestinal tract, GCTs are seldom and most commonly found in the esophagus, followed by the colon [10,11]. Most are identified unexpectedly during endoscopic studies [12]. Due to their rare occurrence and only few reports in the medical literature, imaging characteristics for GCTs in the gastrointestinal tract are not definite [4,13]. Similarly, pancreatic GCTs are exceedingly rare with only 8 reported cases thus far [13]. Tumors presented as well-defined, hypovascular masses possibly causing duct obstruction, mimicking a hypovascular pancreatic endocrine tumor
[14]. Herein we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of pancreatic and cecal GCTs in the radiologic literature as well as their synchronic presentation. Familiarity with this entity and its imaging appearances may help recognize GCT as a possible differential diagnostic consideration in a patient with a solid well-defined pancreatic mass, especially if similar lesions are present in other organ systems. 2. Case report A 43-year-old Caucasian man presented to our institution for surgical consultation for management of a presumed granular cell tumor involving the right colon. His medical history was notable for seven months of heartburn, chest pain, increasing stooling and one episode of hematochezia along with an unintended 10 pounds weight loss. Optical colonoscopy with biopsy and staging CT were obtained at the outside institution prior to transfer. The abdominal CT scan with oral contrast demonstrated a homogeneous 1.5 cm intraluminal cecal lesion with well-defined borders, but also segmental pancreatic ductal dilation and relative atrophy in the distal body and tail of the pancreas. No clear pancreatic mass was observed (Fig. 1).
⁎ Corresponding author at: Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue – Ansin 235, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A. Garces-Descovich), [email protected] (M.P. Callery), [email protected] (K.R. Anderson), [email protected] (V.Y. Poylin), [email protected] (K.J. Mortele). 1 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2018.07.011 Received 22 May 2018; Received in revised form 6 July 2018; Accepted 10 July 2018 0899-7071/ © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
A. Garces-Descovich et al.
Fig. 1. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. A. Axial and sagittal images show a 1.5 cm well-defined homogeneous intraluminal mass (white arrows) in the caecum next to the ileo-cecal valve. B. Axial image shows pancreatic ductal dilation in the body and tail with relative atrophy of the parenchyma (white arrowheads).
patchy positivity (wild-type) and a low proliferative index (< 5%) respectively. No significant mitotic activity or necrosis was seen (Fig. 5). The findings were consistent with a multi-centric synchronous granular cell tumor involving both the pancreas and the cecum.
Pathological evaluation of the cecal lesion, following endoscopic biopsy, revealed a tumor positive for periodic acid Schiff (PAS), periodic acid Schiff diastase (PAS-D) and S-100 without prominent atypia or necrosis; findings were consistent with a granular cell tumor (GCT). A subsequent MRCP examination was performed at our institution to evaluate the cause of dilation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Both intravenous (7 mL of Gadavist) and oral contrast (1 cc of Gadavist mixed with 50 cc of water) were administered. The examination was notable for segmental dilation of the MPD up to 5 mm within the pancreatic tail with irregularity and abrupt non visualization of the MPD at the body-tail junction. Associated parenchymal tail atrophy was found, along with loss of intrinsic T1 hyperintensity, due to chronic inflammation and duct obstruction. A small pancreatic body enhancing focus was noted on delayed post‑gadolinium fat-suppressed T1weighted images (Fig. 2). On DWI, no restriction was observed. A presumed diagnosis of a small pancreatic endocrine tumor was rendered. A PET scan after the administration of Ga-68 labeled dotatate yielded physiologic uptake throughout the body without pathological uptake in the pancreatic body or tail. Finally, a preoperative multiphasic CTA, 11 months following the initial presentation, showed mild atrophy of the distal pancreas with duct dilation and a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic mass located in the proximal pancreatic body; no local vascular invasion was evidenced (Fig. 3). An intraoperative ultrasound of the pancreas was performed and showed a well-defined sub-centimeter hypoechoic nodule with a dilated MDP (Fig. 4). The patient then underwent a combined robotic-assisted minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and right hemicolectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. By immunohistochemistry, both masses were positive for S100 and CD68 as well as PAS-D positive. Tumor proteins p53 and Ki67 showed weak,
3. Discussion This case study presents the unusual presentation of a 43-year-old Caucasian man with pathological proven granular cell tumors (GCT) of both the pancreas and the cecum. The patient was referred to our institution with a colonoscopic biopsy that revealed an uncommon histologic diagnosis in the cecum near the ileo-cecal valve. Additionally, MDCT showed a 1.6 cm slightly hypervascular pancreatic body mass. On MRI, the pancreatic mass presented as a small focus of enhancement and duct obstruction. Pathological diagnosis was confirmed by surgical excision. Both tumors stained positive to CD68 and S100 with positive PAS-D staining. Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare neoplasms of neuro-ectodermal nature with a very low malignant potential [9]. GCT were first described by Abrikossoff in 1926 [15] as a tumor of muscular origin, hence its original name of “myoblastoma” [4,16]. A prior study by Vered et al., suggests that GCT might be a lesion that echoes metabolic imbalances or inflammatory reactive changes rather than being a true de novo neoplasm [17]. However, current immunohistochemistry data suggests a clear neuronal derivation [4]. Cells in GCTs indeed show positivity in staining for S100 [6] which is a particular acidic protein that exists in peripheral Schwann cells and satellite cells of ganglia [13]. These immunological findings are congruent with our patient's pathological findings of S100 positivity in both his cecal and pancreatic masses. GCTs typically present as painless and circumscribed nodules 96
Clinical Imaging 52 (2018) 95–99
A. Garces-Descovich et al.
Fig. 4. Robotic intra-operative ultrasound evaluation of the pancreas. Color Doppler image shows normal pancreatic parenchyma with a well-defined sub-centimeter hypoechoic nodule in the body/tail (arrow) and the relationship of the lesion to surrounding vasculature for adequate surgical planning.
predominantly in the oral cavity, measuring < 3 cm in size [2]. Previous authors have found GCTs in multiple organs, particularly in patients of African American descent [2,18,19]. GCTs are also normally found in female patients (75%) in their second and fourth decades of life [16]. In our case, demographical data were therefore distinct to previous studies [8]. Granular cell tumors are a very rare entity in the pancreas [3,13]. As for the gastrointestinal tract, GCTs usually present in the esophagus, followed by the colon [20]. The cecum/right colon area is the most common location for a GCT in the colon [21]. Imaging characteristics for both are non-specific [13]. In the single case of limited radiological description of GCT of the colon, Rajagopal et al. [4], found a 2 × 2.8 cm homogeneous enhancing mass with well-defined borders and no peripheral wall thickening on MDCT. Even though the homogeneity in enhancement pattern and the lack of radiological inflammatory signs are concordant with our case, the diameter (1.5 cm) of the cecal mass makes GCTs variable in size. Regarding pancreatic GCT, in a recent publication, Takahashi et al. [13], reviewed all know reported cases (n = 8) from 1975 to 2018 of pancreatic GCTs and described the main characteristics of the tumors. The location of the GCT was found to be in the pancreatic body in half of the cases, similar to our patient. Moreover, the size of the tumor was described in 7 of the 8 cases with a mean size of 0.97 ± 0.56 cm (range: 0.5–2.0 cm); our case, with a size of 1.6 cm, is therefore at the larger end of the reported spectrum. Likewise, MPD dilation by MDCT was present in 50% (4/8) of cases. Reported MR imaging features of the pancreas are heterogeneous. Only two authors have described the MRI findings. Takahashi et al., described hypointensity on T1W, isointensity on T2W and hyperintensity on DWI [13]. Kanno et al., [3] presented a case with hypointensity on T1W but areas of hyperintensity on T2W (and no description on DWI). Our case presented with isointensity on T1W, isointensity onT2W and no restricted diffusion on DWI. However, there was a small focus of increased enhancement on post‑gadolinium delayed sequences. As aforementioned, pancreatic as well as cecal GCTs are very rare entities. However, radiological differential diagnoses for pancreatic GCT includes tumors with variable enhancement and associated pancreatic duct dilation. Therefore, pancreatic cancer and serotonin producing neuroendocrine tumors represent the most common differentials [3]. As for cecal GCT, differential diagnoses include any lesions with a smooth, polypoid appearance such as colonic polyps,
Fig. 2. Magnetic resonance imaging. A. Coronal magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) maximum intensity projection (MIP) image shows segmental dilation of the main pancreatic duct up to 4 mm (white arrowheads) within the pancreatic tail with abrupt non visualization of the duct in the pancreatic body (green arrow). B. Axial delayed phase fat-suppressed T1-weighted image shows a small focus of increased enhancement (arrow). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 3. Computed tomography angiography (CTA). A. Axial image shows a lobular, slightly hyperdense, well-defined mass located in the pancreatic body that measures 1.6 cm at the greatest dimension (arrow).
97
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Fig. 5. Histopathological evaluation with H&E-stained and immunostained slides. A. Pancreatic H&E-stained slides with round to polygonal cells and fine granular cytoplasm with occasional eosinophilic droplets and hyperchromatic small nuclei (×10). Inset: Positive PAS-D staining (×20). B. Pancreatic immunoreaction with cytoplasm positive for S-100 protein (×10) with normal pancreatic tissue (asterix). Inset: Positive CD-68 reactivity (×10). C. Cecal H&E-stained slides show polygonal cells and fine granular eosinophilic cytoplasm with uniform round nuclei (×10) with normal colonic tissue (asterix). Inset: Positive PAS-D staining (×10). D. Cecal immunoreaction with cytoplasm positive for S-100 protein (×10). Inset: Positive CD-68 reactivity (×10).
carcinoid tumors, leiomyomas, GIST, and ganglioneuromas [22,23].
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4. Conclusion This represents the first reported case of synchronous pancreatic and cecal granular cell tumors. GCTs possess non-specific/non-descript imaging findings, such as hypo/isointensity on T1W and isointensity on T2W that mimic common pancreatic tumors. A simultaneous GCT should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a newly detected mass whenever a history of granular cell tumor is known. Disclosure There are no conflicts of interests, financial or commercial relationships to disclose for any author included in the manuscript. IRB statement Approval for this prospective study was obtained from our institutional review board and was deemed compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Due to the retrospective nature of this case report, patient written consent was waived. References [1] Znati K, Harmouch T, Benlemlih A, et al. Solitary granular cell tumor of cecum: a
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