Two Cases of an Epidermoid Cyst Developing in an Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen Identified during Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy

Intern Med. 2016;55(21):3137-3141. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.7141. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

Abstract

Epidermoid cysts presenting within an intrapancreatic accessory spleen are rare non-neoplastic cysts typically occurring in the pancreatic tail. This entity is difficult to diagnose given there are many types of pancreatic neoplastic cysts. We herein describe two cases of an epidermoid cyst within an intrapancreatic accessory spleen for which we performed a resection by laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Epidermoid cysts in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tail cystic lesions. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy can be a useful, minimally invasive surgical approach for treating these cysts as well as for the treatment of benign or low-grade malignant tumors located in the pancreatic body or tail.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
  • Epidermal Cyst / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas / pathology*
  • Pancreatectomy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Cyst / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Diseases / surgery
  • Spleen / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome