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Madela F, Ferndale L, Aldous C. Diagnostic Differentiation between Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer: A Scoping Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:290. [PMID: 38337806 PMCID: PMC10855106 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatitis, encompassing acute and chronic forms, and pancreatic cancer pose significant challenges to the exocrine tissue of the pancreas. Recurrence rates and complications following acute pancreatitis episodes can lead to long-term risks, including diabetes mellitus. Chronic pancreatitis can develop in approximately 15% of cases, regardless of the initial episode's severity. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis, idiopathic causes, cigarette smoking, and hereditary pancreatitis contribute to the progression to chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, with older age at onset and smoking identified as risk factors. This scoping review aims to synthesise recent publications (2017-2022) on the diagnostic differentiation between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer while identifying knowledge gaps in the field. The review focuses on biomarkers and imaging techniques in individuals with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Promising biomarkers such as faecal elastase-1 and specific chemokines offer non-invasive ways to assess pancreatic insufficiency and detect early biomarkers for chronic pancreatitis. Imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and positron emission tomography (PET), aid in differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. However, accurately distinguishing between the two conditions remains a challenge, particularly when a mass is present in the head of the pancreas. Several knowledge gaps persist despite advancements in understanding the association between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, including the correlation between histopathological grading systems, non-invasive imaging techniques, and biomarkers in chronic pancreatitis to determine the risk of progression to pancreatic cancer, as well as differentiating between the two conditions. Further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of these aspects, which can ultimately improve the diagnosis and management of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusi Madela
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (L.F.)
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Tornel-Avelar AI, Velarde Ruiz-Velasco JA, Pelaez-Luna M. Pancreatic cancer, autoimmune or chronic pancreatitis, beyond tissue diagnosis: Collateral imaging and clinical characteristics may differentiate them. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:925-942. [PMID: 37389107 PMCID: PMC10302998 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i6.925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies and is developing into the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related death. Often, the clinical and radiological presentation of PDAC may be mirrored by other inflammatory pancreatic masses, such as autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP), making its diagnosis challenging. Differentiating AIP and MFCP from PDAC is vital due to significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. Current diagnostic criteria and tools allow the precise differentiation of benign from malignant masses; however, the diagnostic accuracy is imperfect. Major pancreatic resections have been performed in AIP cases under initial suspicion of PDAC after a diagnostic approach failed to provide an accurate diagnosis. It is not unusual that after a thorough diagnostic evaluation, the clinician is confronted with a pancreatic mass with uncertain diagnosis. In those cases, a re-evaluation must be entertained, preferably by an experienced multispecialty team including radiologists, pathologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons, looking for disease-specific clinical, imaging, and histological hallmarks or collateral evidence that could favor a specific diagnosis. Our aim is to describe current diagnostic limitations that hinder our ability to reach an accurate diagnosis among AIP, PDAC, and MFCP and to highlight those disease-specific clinical, radiological, serological, and histological characteristics that could support the presence of any of these three disorders when facing a pancreatic mass with uncertain diagnosis after an initial diagnostic approach has been unsuccessful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Tornel-Avelar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Civil of Guadalajara “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | | | - Mario Pelaez-Luna
- Research Division School of Medicine/Department of Gastroenterology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México/National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubiran”, Tlalpan 14000, Mexico City, Mexico
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Chen S, Zhang H, Fang F, Ye C, Zhang K. Characteristics of mass-forming autoimmune pancreatitis commonly misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor. Front Surg 2023; 10:1017621. [PMID: 36761026 PMCID: PMC9905684 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1017621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer to prevent misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Methods The clinical data of patients with AIP with suspected pancreatic or bile duct malignancy and pancreatic cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors and the diagnostic value of IgG4 and Tbil levels before treatment for AIP was investigated. Moreover, the imaging features and response to hormone therapy were analyzed. Results AIP was commonly observed in men. Compared to patients with pancreatic cancer, the incidence of poor appetite and weight loss and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level was lower in patients with AIP, while the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) level was higher (p < 0.05). After treatment, the IgG4 and CA19-9 levels in patients with AIP were decreased (p < 0.001). IgG4 level before treatment (OR = 2.452, 95%CI: 1.180-5.096, P = 0.016) and total bilirubin (Tbil) level before treatment (OR = 0.992, 95%CI: 0.985-0.998, P = 0.013) were independent risk factors of AIP. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of IgG4 level before treatment, Tbil level before treatment, IgG4/Tbil before treatment, and a combination of these indicators was high. Moreover, 15 (68.18%) patients with AIP had space-occupying lesions of the pancreas, and 16 (72.73%) had autoimmune cholangitis. Most patients with AIP were sensitive to hormone therapy. Conclusions The Tbil and IgG4 levels, imaging findings, and hormone therapy reactivity could differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer. A combination of IgG4, Tbil, and IgG4/Tbil before treatment might be a promising diagnostic biomarker for AIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China,Correspondence: Si Chen Kaiguang Zhang
| | - Hanlei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kaiguang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China,Correspondence: Si Chen Kaiguang Zhang
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Stocky/Packed Pancreas: A Case of Focal Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Mimicking Cancer. Tomography 2022; 8:2073-2082. [PMID: 36006072 PMCID: PMC9414187 DOI: 10.3390/tomography8040174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced acute pancreatitis (DIP) is a recognised but underreported entity in the literature. Immunotherapy drugs have been described as one possible emerging cause, although the pathogenic mechanism is still largely unclear. To date, only a few cases have been reported, even if in recent times there is an over-increasing awareness of this pathologic entity. The imaging-based diagnosis of DIP can be difficult to establish, representing a real challenge for a radiologist, especially when the inflammatory disease appears as a focal mass suspicious for a malignancy. Case report: We herein report the case of a 71-year-old man with a known history of partially responsive lung adenocarcinoma subtype with high programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, who underwent positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging follow-up after one year of immunotherapy. The exam revealed a stocky/packed lesion in the pancreatic body, with increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation highly suggestive of pancreatic cancer, which finally was proven to be a DIP induced by immunotherapy. Conclusion: Distinguishing between focal DIP and pancreatic neoplasm is, therefore, crucial for timely therapeutic management and prognostic stratification. A deep knowledge of possible imaging pitfalls coupled with a comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessment is pivotal to avoid any delays in diagnosis.
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Budigi B, Oliphant M, Itri J. Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Diagnostic Errors, Contributing Factors and Solutions. Acad Radiol 2022; 29:967-976. [PMID: 34838452 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2021.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review diagnostic errors in preoperative and post-operative imaging for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), discuss contributing factors, and provide solutions that minimize errors. Accurate radiological staging and restaging of PDAC dictates surgical management and errors can have significant negative effects on patient care, such as missed vessel involvement or metastatic disease that would preclude surgery. Familiarity with these errors and their contributing factors improves diagnostic accuracy and ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavana Budigi
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
| | - Michael Oliphant
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
| | - Jason Itri
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
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Yu YN, Ding XY, Tian ZB, Zhao QX, Ding XL, Yin XY, Wang XW, Jing X, Liu H. Immunoglobulin G4-related disease concomitant with pancreatic cancer: A rare case report. J Dig Dis 2022; 23:345-348. [PMID: 35751622 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ya Nan Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao Yan Ding
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zi Bin Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qing Xi Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Li Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao Yan Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Jing
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
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Pu Y, Wang C, Zhao S, Xie R, Zhao L, Li K, Yang C, Zhang R, Tian Y, Tan L, Li J, Li S, Chen L, Sun H. The clinical application of 18F-FDG PET/CT in pancreatic cancer: a narrative review. Transl Cancer Res 2021; 10:3560-3575. [PMID: 35116659 PMCID: PMC8799156 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-21-169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst prognoses of all malignant tumors, with an annual incidence near its annual mortality rate. To improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, it is essential to diagnose and evaluate pancreatic cancer early. Imaging examinations play an essential role in tumor detection, staging, and surgical resection assessment and can provide reliable evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Currently, imaging techniques commonly used for pancreatic cancer include endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), conventional ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), and others PET/CT is a new imaging device composed of PET and CT. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is a commonly used tracer in the clinic. Cancer cells are more robust than other ordinary cells in that they can ingest glucose, and the structure of glucose is similar to the structure of 18F-FDG. Therefore, after the injection of 18F-FDG, 18F-FDG in tumor cells appears very thick during PET scanning. Therefore, PET/CT can determine the metabolic capacity and anatomical position of pancreatic tumor cells in the body accurately diagnose the patient's condition and tumor location. It plays a vital role in early diagnosis and accurate staging, predicts survival, and monitors therapeutic effectiveness and pancreatic cancer recurrence. Although 18F-FDG PET/CT has limitations in identifying inflammatory diseases and tumors, it still has good development potential. This article reviews the clinical application of 18F-FDG PET/CT in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhu Pu
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Sheng Zhao
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Ran Xie
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Radiology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Conghui Yang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yadong Tian
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Lixian Tan
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jindan Li
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Shujuan Li
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Long Chen
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Hua Sun
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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Zhao Y, Li F, An N, Peng Z. Atypical enhanced computed tomography signs of pancreatic cancer and its differential diagnosis from autoimmune pancreatitis. Gland Surg 2021; 10:347-354. [PMID: 33633991 DOI: 10.21037/gs-20-821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background To analyze the atypical enhanced computed tomography (CT) signs of pancreatic cancer (PC) and compare them with those of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) to explore the differential diagnosis value of CT. Methods The clinical data of 36 AIP (AIP group) and 38 PC patients (PC group), who were admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to June 2020 and confirmed by surgical biopsy or hormone therapy, were retrospectively analyzed. Participants in both groups were examined by CT, the imaging signs of the 2 groups were analyzed, and the results of CT examination were compared. Results In the PC group, the density of the lesions on the CT scan was mostly reduced, the pancreas was not swollen, and the kidneys were not involved. The bile duct wall was thickened with a sausage-like appearance, enveloped edges were rare, blood vessels were invaded, lymph nodes were enlarged, and the pancreatic duct was truncated. The findings of the AIP group were the opposite. The difference in the proportion of participants with the above-mentioned CT features between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The shape of the lesions in the AIP group was mainly elongated, of uneven density, and the density of enhanced scanning was medium to high. The predominant shape of the lesions in PC participants was spherical, and the density was uniform. The enhanced scan was mainly low-density. The difference in shape and density between the 2 groups was also statistically significant (P<0.05). The CT values of the plain scan, intravenous phase, and delayed phase in the AIP group were significantly higher than those in the PC group (P<0.05). Conclusions The imaging signs of AIP and PC overlap. Examination with CT is of great value in the differential diagnosis between AIP and PC. Familiarity with and mastery of the CT signs of AIP and PC can help to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and provide a reliable basis for patients' follow-up treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (East Hospital), Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (East Hospital), Chengdu, China
| | - Ning An
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Zehua Peng
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
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Wareham NE, Nielsen SD, Sørensen SS, Fischer BM. FDG PET/CT for Detection of Infectious Complications Following Solid Organ Transplantation. Semin Nucl Med 2021; 51:321-334. [PMID: 33397588 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infectious complications after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are often more severe and remain a diagnostic challenge due to vague and atypical clinical presentations. Diagnostic performance of conventional diagnostic tools is frequently inadequate which may lead to delayed diagnosis with the risk of poorer outcomes. This literature review aimed to investigate the current evidence on the use of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) in infectious complications after SOT. Based on search in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases, 13 articles and 46 case reports were included. For inclusion, articles were to include data on patients with infectious complications after SOT, and where FDG PET/CT was part of the work-up. Final searches were conducted on 02 September 2020. Overall, in the absence of initial diagnostic clues, FDG PET/CT should be considered as the imaging technique of choice as it may guide further investigations and eventually reveal the diagnosis in most of the patients. However, the available literature of the role of FDG PET/CT in SOT recipients with infectious complications is scarce and well-designed prospective studies including control groups are warranted to establish the role of FDG PET/C/ in SOT recipients. The main drawback of FDG PET/CT is the lack of ability to differentiate between cancer and infectious diseases which are both highly prevalent in this patient group. Accordingly, the main reasons for "false" results of FDG PET/CT is the misdiagnosis of cancer in benign inflammatory or infectious processes, information which nonetheless can be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neval E Wareham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Schwartz Sørensen
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Barbara Malene Fischer
- The PET Centre, Guy's & St Thomas Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London
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Li Y, Behr S. Acute Findings on FDG PET/CT: Key Imaging Features and How to Differentiate Them from Malignancy. CURRENT RADIOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 8:22. [PMID: 32953250 PMCID: PMC7486592 DOI: 10.1007/s40134-020-00367-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review acute findings commonly encountered during routine clinical FDG PET/CT studies and present key imaging features to differentiate them from malignant counterparts. RECENT FINDINGS FDG PET/CT is extensively used in routine clinical practice for oncology patients. Incidental acute findings in patients undergoing FDG PET/CT are increasingly common, and awareness of these findings and their mimics are important in delivering a clinically relevant and accurate radiological report for directing further management. SUMMARY This article will review examples of common acute findings encountered during routine FDG PET/CT scans, compare them against examples of FDG-avid malignancy that can mimic these findings and emphasize key imaging findings to differentiate acute findings from their malignant mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Spencer Behr
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
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Haj-Mirzaian A, Kawamoto S, Zaheer A, Hruban RH, Fishman EK, Chu LC. Pitfalls in the MDCT of pancreatic cancer: strategies for minimizing errors. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:457-478. [PMID: 31897686 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-019-02390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used cross-sectional imaging modality for initial evaluation of patients with suspected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, diagnosis of PDAC can be challenging due to numerous pitfalls associated with image acquisition and interpretation, including technical factors, imaging features, and cognitive errors. Accurate diagnosis requires familiarity with these pitfalls, as these can be minimized using systematic strategies. Suboptimal acquisition protocols and other technical errors such as motion artifacts and incomplete anatomical coverage increase the risk of misdiagnosis. Interpretation of images can be challenging due to intrinsic tumor features (including small and isoenhancing masses, exophytic masses, subtle pancreatic duct irregularities, and diffuse tumor infiltration), presence of coexisting pathology (including chronic pancreatitis and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm), mimickers of PDAC (including focal fatty infiltration and focal pancreatitis), distracting findings, and satisfaction of search. Awareness of pitfalls associated with the diagnosis of PDAC along with the strategies to avoid them will help radiologists to minimize technical and interpretation errors. Cognizance and mitigation of these errors can lead to earlier PDAC diagnosis and ultimately improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Haj-Mirzaian
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Satomi Kawamoto
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Atif Zaheer
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elliot K Fishman
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Linda C Chu
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Glinka J, Calderón F, de Santibañes M, Hyon SH, Gadano A, Mullen E, Pol M, Spina J, de Santibañes E. Early pancreatic cancer in IgG4-related pancreatic mass: A case report. World J Gastrointest Surg 2019; 11:443-448. [PMID: 31879536 PMCID: PMC6912071 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v11.i12.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgG4-related disease can manifest diversely, including autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related cholangiopathy. We are reporting a very unusual cause of pancreatic cancer triggered in a previously unknown IgG4-related disease.
CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old man was diagnosed with a 43 mm × 33 mm pancreatic head tumor after consulting for abdominal pain and jaundice. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was carried out uneventfully, and the histopathology report showed an early stage of acinar-cell pancreatic cancer. The patient reconsulted on the 30th postoperative day with fever, jaundice and asthenia. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography evidenced an extense bile duct stricture. A percutaneous biliary drainage proved to be ineffective, even after exchanging it with larger bore drainage. Reviewing the surgical specimen, features compatible with IgG4-related disease were observed. Consequently, empiric treatment with steroids was initiated achieving excellent results.
CONCLUSION IgG4-related disease may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas and can condition pancreatic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Glinka
- Department of General Surgery, Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Francisco Calderón
- Department of General Surgery, Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Martín de Santibañes
- Department of General Surgery, Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Sung Ho Hyon
- Department of General Surgery, Image Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Adrián Gadano
- Hepatology Section, Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Mullen
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Melina Pol
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Juan Spina
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
| | - Eduardo de Santibañes
- Department of General Surgery, Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1181ACH, Argentina
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Li G, Liu T, Zheng J, Kang W, Xu J, Gao Z, Ma J. Untypical autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: differential diagnosis experiences extracted from misdiagnose of two cases. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019; 14:245. [PMID: 31699117 PMCID: PMC6839088 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1217-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiation between pancreatic cancer (PC) and focal form of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is very challenging, with similar clinical presentations, laboratory results and morphologic imagings of US, CT, EUS, MRI, ERCP, PET-CT. Even serum IgG4 and biopsy sometimes cannot give clear-cut differential accurate diagnostis. Considering the totally different management strategy of the two diseases, accurate diagnostic value is urgently needed to remind the clinicians of the rare diagnosis of untypical AIP among frequent PC-suspected patients. RESULTS We present 2 laparotomy cases of AIP that had a high similar characteristic to PC and retrospectively extracted the warning signs that may help select untypical AIP in PC-suspected patients. CONCLUSIONS We find that mild fluctuating jaundice with abdominal pain, young age, tumor marker of TPS, TPA and diverse results between variable radiological tests can help to differentiate AIP mass from PC, through retrospectively analyzing work-up process of AIP in two patients who underwent laparotomy for suspected PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaopeng Li
- Department of general surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of general surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of critical care medicine, The first hospital of Shanxi medical University, The Hospital of Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Wenqin Kang
- Department of general surgery, The Hospital of Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of general surgery, Shanxi Dayi Hospital, Shanxi academy of Medical science, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Zefeng Gao
- Department of general surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
| | - Jinfeng Ma
- Department of general surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province China
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Rahman WT, Wale DJ, Viglianti BL, Townsend DM, Manganaro MS, Gross MD, Wong KK, Rubello D. The impact of infection and inflammation in oncologic 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 117:109168. [PMID: 31334700 PMCID: PMC7104808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sites of infection and inflammation can be misleading in oncology PET/CT imaging because these areas commonly show 18F-FDG activity. Caution in the interpretation must be taken to avoid the misdiagnosis of malignancy. Utilization of both CT findings as well as patient history can help differentiate benign infectious and inflammatory processes from malignancy, although occasionally additional work-up may be required. This article discusses the mechanism of 18F-FDG uptake in infection and inflammation with illustrative examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Tania Rahman
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel J Wale
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Benjamin L Viglianti
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Danyelle M Townsend
- Division of Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew S Manganaro
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Milton D Gross
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ka Kit Wong
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Domenico Rubello
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology, Pathology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy.
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