Malignant lymphoma of spleen presenting as acute pancreatitis: a case report

Abstract

This is a case report of a patient who presented with acute pancreatitis without the common causes. A pancreatic biopsy revealed large B cell lymphoma. Spleen lymphoma with pancreatic involvement inducing acute pancreatitis, which is a rare disorder, was diagnosed. Here we also review the few similar cases reported in the literature.

Figure 1

A: Arrow head-pancreatic tail with edematous and swelling changes, with the lesion adhered to the main tumor over the spleen. Long arrows-hypodense tumor mass occupying the spleen hilum; B: Arrow head-more involvement in the pancreatic tail. Long arrow-the main tumor with mild necrotic change over the spleen; C: Arrow head-the pancreatic tail is still enlarged, with swelling and little fluid acumination. Long arrow-tumor occupying the upper pole of the spleen.

Figure 2

A: Pancreatic tail biopsy showing diffuse large lymphoid cells with highly polymorphic nuclei; B: The neoplastic cells are negative for T cell-associated markers, CD3; C: Large lymphoid cells stained by CD20.