Isolated Pancreatic Tuberculosis Mimicking Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer: A Diagnostic Challenge Resolved by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration

Abstract

1Department of Gastroenterology, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg; 2Department of Hematology, University of Nice, Nice, France Correspondence: Dr Adrien Sportes, Department of Gastroenterology, Strasbourg University, 1 place de l’hopital, 67000 Strasbourg, France. Telephone 0-33-369-55-1008, fax 0-336-955-0315, e-mail adrien.sportes@chru-strasbourg.fr Received for publication March 14, 2013. Accepted May 6, 2013 Case presentation In December 2010, a 52-year-old man was admitted to hospital for febrile cholestatic jaundice. The patient was of Algerian origin and had immigrated to Alsace (France) two years previously. He was a construction worker with no medical or surgical history, nor was there history of contact with tuberculosis. The clinical history began one month previously, with diffuse abdominal pain, weight loss and jaundice. Physical examination on admission revealed a temperature of 38.5°C, epigastric abdominal pain associated with scleral jaundice and no lymphadenopathy. The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. The patient’s initial laboratory analysis revealed a leukocyte count of 7.07×109/L, a hemoglobin level of 97 g/L and a platelet count of 259×109/L. Cholestasis was demonstrated by increased serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (336 U/L; normal range 11 U/L to 82 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (177 U/L; normal range 41 U/L to 117 U/L) and total bilirubin (30 μmol/L; normal range 1.7 μmol/L to 21 μmol/L), with a direct bilirubin level of 20 μmol/L (normal range 1 μmol/L to 10 μmol/L) and alanine aminotransferase level of 120 U/L (normal range 10 U/L to 49 U/L). Acute phase reactants increased, with a C-reactive protein level of 63 mg/L (normal <4 mg/L). Tests for HIV 1 and 2, and hepatitis B and C were negative. Computed tomography (CT) showed a heterogeneous mass in the head of the pancreas 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm in size, causing a compression of the bile duct, with dilation of the intraand extrahepatic bile ducts. The tumour was in contact with the superior mesenteric vein and artery. In addition, many peripancreatic lymph nodes were present (Figure 1). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was performed and revealed dilation of the intraand extrahepatic bile ducts upstream of a cephalic pancreatic mass, with dilation of the duct of Wirsung (Figure 2). The initial differential diagnosis was cholangitis secondary to a malignant tumour of the pancreatic head without knowledge of the histological type. Given the septic context and the presence of a locally advanced tumour (invasion of the superior mesenteric artery and vein), it was decided to perform endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass of the head of the pancreas, along with placement of a metal biliary stent. EUS revealed a large tumour in the head region of the pancreas compressing the bile duct, and many peripancreatic lymph nodes and some ascites (Figure 3). Cytology demonstrated granuloma with caseous necrosis and the presence of an aspect of diffuse necrosis, the absence of tumour cells and tuberculosis bacterium. The assessment was completed using a CT scan-guided transmural biopsy of the peripancreatic lymphadenopathy. Pathological examination revealed caseous necrosis with the presence of acid-fast bacilli; Ziehl-Neelsen stain staining was positive. Additionally, bacteriological samples returned positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis with polymerase chain reaction DNA. Positron emission CT was used to search for other sites of tuberculosis infection. Examination revealed hyperintense metabolism characterizing the large swelling of the head of the pancreas associated with multiple gastric lymph nodes and perihepatic hilum (Figure 4). The final diagnosis was isolated pancreatic tuberculosis complicated by cholangitis. Antituberculous therapy was initiated, leading to clinical, biological and radiological improvement (Figure 5). The metal biliary stent was replaced with a plastic stent. It was replaced once again before its final removal in September 2011.