Granular cell tumour of the pancreas: A case report and systematic review
Publication Details
Tree, K.,
Kotecha, K.,
Mehta, S.,
Fuchs, T. L.,
Toon, C. W.,
Gill, A. J.,
Samra, J. S.,
&
Mittal, A.
(2023).
Granular cell tumour of the pancreas: A case report and systematic review.
Langenbecks Archives of Surgery, 408.
Abstract
Purpose: Granular cell tumours (GCTs) of the pancreas are mostly benign and exceptionally rare, with no unique identifying radiological features. Following a case discussion of a patient with GCT, a comprehensive review of available literature was conducted to identify the common diagnostic features associated with GCT.
Methods: Following a case report identifed in our institution, a systematic review was conducted by two authors in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, World of Science, and grey literature were searched on August 2021. Inclusion criteria were histopathology diagnosed granular cell tumour of the pancreas.
Results: A 37-year-old male presented with 1 month of abdominal pain and an MRI demonstrating a dilated main pancreatic duct, distal parenchymal atrophy, but no focal lesion. Repeat MRI at 6 months re-demonstrated similar fndings and subsequent endoscopic ultrasound was suspicious for main duct IPMN. Following multidisciplinary team discussion, a spleenpreserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. Histopathology demonstrated granular cell tumour with cells difusely positive for S100 and no malignant transformation. 11 case reports were identifed in the literature with diagnosis confrmed on tissue histopathology based on positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein. Eight patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms with abdominal pain the main presenting complaint (50%). 10 patients underwent CT with portal venous contrast and all underwent endoscopic examination. Imaging fndings were similar in fve studies for EUS which demonstrated a hypoechoic lesion with homogenous appearance. On non-contrast CT GCT was iso-enhancing, and with portal venous contrast demonstrated hypo-enhancement that gradually enhanced on late phases. Pre-operative diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was described in six cases based on imaging and biopsy, resulting in progression to surgical resection. Nine patients were managed surgically and no complications identifed on follow-up (6–52 months).
Conclusion: The currently proposed management pathway includes EUS with biopsy and CT, and surgical resection recommended due to malignancy risk. Improved sample collection with EUS-FNA and microscopic assessment utilising S-100 immunohistochemistry may improve pre-operative diagnosis. Limitations include rare numbers in reported literature and short follow-up not allowing an assessment of GCT’s natural history and malignancy risk. Additional cases would expand the current dataset of GCTs of the pancreas, so that surgical resection may be avoided in the future.
Keywords
granular cell tumour, pancreas, systematic review, diagnosis, investigation
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