Clinical Profile of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions in von Hippel-Lindau Disease: A Series of 48 Patients Seen at a Tertiary Institution

Abstract

Objectives: Little is known about the association between pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD). In this study, we describe the clinical presentation, type of PCLs, and risk for malignancy in PCLs in VHLD.

Methods: Patients given a diagnosis of both VHLD and PCLs were identified from electronic medical records at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2016. Various demographic, clinical, and radiologic variables were recorded.

Results: Forty-eight patients were identified with PCLs and VHLD. Most were female (73%), and mean (standard deviation) age was 35.9 (14.2) years. Most (92%) were asymptomatic. PCLs included simple cysts (n = 34, 69%), serous cystadenoma (n = 14, 29%), branch duct intraductal papillary neoplasm (n = 5, 10%), and cystic neuroendocrine tumors (n = 2, 4%). Eight (19%) had mixed PCLs. Cyst aspiration was performed in 8 (53%) patients who underwent EUS, and all were negative for malignancy. At a median follow-up of 84 months, no PCL-associated cancers were seen.

Conclusions: Simple cyst is the most common type of PCL found in VHL disease; however, other PCLs were also seen with no malignancy potential. Branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms were present in 10%, and this association was not hitherto reported.