Multicystic adenomatoid pancreatic hamartoma in a child: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic tumor is a rare condition in children, but reasonably common in adults. Histopathology in children also differs from that in adults, with most cases being pancreatoblastoma, solid pseudopapillary tumor, or pancreatic endocrine tumors.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 14-month-old boy was noticed abdominal distension and referred to our hospital. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis and elevation of serum level of C-reactive protein and pancreatic enzymes. Radiological findings at admission were the huge abdominal cyst in abdominal computed tomography. As the levels of pancreatic enzyme elevated synchronous to oral feeding, total parenteral nutrition was needed. Besides radiographically the abdominal lesion changed from multiple large cystic type to multiple microcystic lesion including solid component over time. It was considered different diagnosis was pancreatic blastoma, pancreatic pseudo cyst, and lymphangioma and he was performed operation. The huge multicystic and partially solid tumor arising from the tail of pancreas existed from posterior of stomach to pelvic cavity. The tumor was completely resected without pancreatectomy and residual pancreas can be kept without tumor invasion. Histopathological finding was pancreatic hamartoma.

DISCUSSION: Pancreatic hamartoma was extremely rare, and only 17 cases were previously reported in the literature. This is the first case that the change of radiographic findings overtime was shown. We reviewed 17 cases (4 cases in children) of pancreatic hamartoma including our case.

CONCLUSION: Although extremely rare, pancreatic hamartoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic abdominal mass in children.