Multi-slice CT imaging features of pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging features of pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC). Methods A retrospective analysis of the MSCT and pathological findings of 10 PNEC patients confirmed by surgery and pathology was performed. Results Among the 10 patients, the tumor locating at pancreatic head was in 1 case, at pancreatic body was in 1 case, and at pancreatic tail was in 8 cases. The maximum diameter was 1.8-8.5 (4.7 ± 3.6) cm. The boundary between mass and normal pancreas was unclear, among which there was a circle-like shape in 4 cases, and irregular shape in 6 cases. The plain scan showed that there were cystic changes in the mass, including cystic lesion locating in the center of the lesion in 7 cases, and that locatingd in the periphery of the lesion in 3 cases. The plain CT value was (36.0 ± 8.3) HU. The enhancement scan showed that the circumference was mainly ring enhancement, the arterial phase CT values was (78.0 ± 6.7) HU, the portal venous phase CT values was (83.0 ± 8.2) HU, and the balanced phase CT values was (69.0 ± 9.1) HU. Under the microscope, found that the tumor were made up of small cells and large cells, the tumor tissue was invasive. The atypia of tumor cells was obvious, diffuse and distribution was diffuse, with necrosis. The nuclear division was more common. The immunohistochemical result showed that synaptophysin (Syn) positive was in 10 cases, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) positive was in 7 cases, chromogranin A (CgA) positive was in 7 cases, and CD56 positive was in 6 cases; the percentage of Ki-67 expression positive cell 20% was in 3 cases. Conclusions The MSCT imaging findings of PNEC has certain characteristics, and multi-period dynamic contrast-enhanced scan is helpful for the diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms; Carcinoma, neuroendocrine; Tomography, X-ray computed; Retrospective studies