Abstract
The previously unreported ultrasonographic (US) features of liver metastases of pancreatic glucagonoma and of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma are described. They present as complex masses with hyperechoic solid component, containing echo-free cystic areas; these sonographic features markedly differ from the echo-poor US pattern of the much more common metastases of pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Survival from diagnosis of liver metastases was 45 months in the patient with pancreatic glucagonoma and 23 months in the patient with acinar cell carcinoma. These survivals were much longer than the expected survival of patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma metastatic to the liver. The US finding of highly reflective lesions in the liver, containing echo-free cystic areas, should alert one that the primary pancreatic tumor has a histotype different from ductal carcinoma. Such US findings could affect the decision to resect the pancreatic tumor and its liver metastases, if histology confirms a malignancy less aggressive than ductal carcinoma.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
