Incidental Discovery of a Pancreatic Lipoma: A Rare Case Report

Introduction: Pancreatic lipomas are rare benign tumors of mesenchymal origin, often discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions. These tumors, typically located in the head of the pancreas, are usually asymptomatic but can occasionally cause clinical complications. Visit https://www.clinmedcasereportsjournal.org/acr for more groundbreaking research in this field.

Case Report Summary: A 53-year-old male presented with acute cholecystitis symptoms, including fever and right upper abdominal quadrant pain. Initial ultrasound imaging revealed gallbladder lithiasis and a fatty mass in the head of the pancreas. Further evaluation via CT scan confirmed a homogenous, non-calcified pancreatic lipoma measuring 23 mm, with no contrast uptake. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy and was discharged with a planned follow-up for the pancreatic lipoma.

Diagnosis and Clinical Significance:

• Incidence: Pancreatic lipomas are rare, accounting for only 1-2% of all pancreatic tumors.
• Imaging Characteristics: CT scans typically reveal a homogenous fatty mass with a Hounsfield Unit range of -80 to -120.
• Differential Diagnosis: These include focal fatty infiltration, pseudohypertrophic lipomatosis, teratoma, and liposarcoma.

Broader Medical Context: The American College of Radiology (ACR) emphasizes the importance of accurate imaging for diagnosing pancreatic tumors. Differentiating between benign lipomas and malignant liposarcomas remains a challenge, often requiring MRI or biopsy in uncertain cases.

Management and Follow-Up:

• Asymptomatic Lipomas: Routine monitoring via imaging is generally recommended.
• Symptomatic Lipomas: Surgical excision may be necessary in cases of duodenal obstruction or ampullary compression.
• Follow-up Plan: This case involved a three-month follow-up CT scan to monitor any changes in the lipoma’s characteristics.

Further Reading: For an in-depth analysis, read the full study at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.acr.1001059. Additional related case studies can be explored in our Archives of Case Reports.

Conclusion: Pancreatic lipomas, though rare, can be effectively diagnosed using imaging techniques. Asymptomatic cases require conservative management with follow-up, while symptomatic cases may warrant surgical intervention.

Call-to-Action: Explore more studies at https://www.clinmedcasereportsjournal.org/acr and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This content is generated using AI assistance and should be reviewed for accuracy and compliance before considering this article and its contents as a reference. Any mishaps or grievances raised due to the reuse of this material will not be handled by the author of this article.

You may provide us with feedback in the comments section.