Primary pancreatic lymphoma in a young adult male: a challenging diagnosis

Umberto Tupputi; Valentina Testini; Nicola Minerva; Claudia Suriano; Michela Capuano; Francesco Saverio Guerra; Domenico Mannatrizio; Roberto Bellitti; Tommaso Scarabino; Giuseppe Guglielmi

doi:10.23750/abm.v95i3.15381

Primary pancreatic lymphoma in a young adult male: a challenging diagnosis

Authors

Umberto Tupputi Radiology Unit, “Bonomo” Hospital, Andria (BT), Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0384-5864
Valentina Testini Radiology Unit, “Dimiccoli” Hospital, Barletta (BT), Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1231-5213
Nicola Minerva Medicine Unit, “Bonomo” Hospital, Andria (BT), Italy
Claudia Suriano Radiology Unit, “Bonomo” Hospital, Andria (BT), Italy
Michela Capuano Radiology Unit, “Bonomo” Hospital, Andria (BT), Italy
Francesco Saverio Guerra Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3923-3429
Domenico Mannatrizio Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3365-7132
Roberto Bellitti Radiology Unit, “Dimiccoli” Hospital, Barletta (BT), Italy
Tommaso Scarabino Radiology Unit, “Bonomo” Hospital, Andria (BT), Italy
Giuseppe Guglielmi Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4325-8330

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v95i3.15381

Keywords:

Primary pancreatic lymphoma, body imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, case report

Abstract

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is a rare clinical entity most likely to be misdiagnosed as pancreatic adenocarcinoma on presentation. The most common histological type of PPL is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We present a case of a 48-year-old man admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain and progressive jaundice. A computed-tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan were performed and a large mass with slight enhancement after contrast agent administration at the pancreatic head was found. The patient underwent endoscopic-ultrasound (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic mass. Histopathological diagnosis revealed a primary pancreatic lymphoma. We discuss the typical features of computed tomography (CT) and MRI of this rare clinical condition to help radiologists in the timely diagnosis for faster and more accurate diagnostic framing and to direct the patient to correct and timely treatment.

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