Left-sided portal hypertension caused by serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: report of a case

Surg Today. 2008;38(2):184-7. doi: 10.1007/s00595-007-3600-y. Epub 2008 Feb 1.

Abstract

We report a case of serous cystadenoma of pancreas causing left-sided portal hypertension and gastric varices. A 68-year-old man was admitted for treatment of a pancreatic body tumor. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a honeycombed cystic mass. A celiac angiogram showed a hypervascular tumor supplied mainly by a dilated splenic artery and dorsal pancreatic artery. In the venous phase, the patent splenic vein had a large hepatopetal collateral vein via the coronary gastric vein. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed isolated varices of the gastric fundus. We made a preoperative diagnosis of a serous cystic tumor of the pancreas with left-sided portal hypertension and performed distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. The resected tumor was 8 cm in diameter and had a typical honeycombed microcystic pattern with central stellate scarring. The spleen was not enlarged. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of serous cystadenoma without any sign of malignancy. Postoperative endoscopy showed disappearance of the gastric varices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cystadenoma, Serous / complications*
  • Cystadenoma, Serous / diagnosis
  • Cystadenoma, Serous / surgery
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / etiology*
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery