Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor of Pancreas in a 14-year-old Adolescent Presenting With Melena: A Case Report

The incidence of pancreatic neoplasms in infants and children is 1.8 cases per 1000000. Three of children’s most common primary pancreatic neoplasms are pancreatoblastoma, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas, and pancreatic endocrine neoplasms. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a low-grade malignant tumor. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm in children is presented with a palpable mass (60%), followed by abdominal pain (33.3%). Although duodenal invasion frequently occurs in patients with pancreatic cancer, massive gastrointestinal bleeding is seldom encountered. The most helpful imaging technique is the CT scan. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for solid pseudopapillary neoplasms.

A 14 years old male adolescent was presented to our pediatric emergency department with fatigue, dizziness, fever, vomiting, and tachycardia. He had melena 5 days before admission. Crystalloids, pantoprazole, and packed red blood cells were administered to stabilize the patient. As the initial resuscitation measures stabilized the patient, endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy was performed, and a vascular lesion measuring 60×70 mm was noted in the second part of the duodenum. CT scan of the abdomen with intravenous and oral contrast showed a mass with solid and cystic components measuring 75×52 mm between the head of the pancreas and gallbladder origination from the head of the pancreas. The patient underwent Whipple surgery. The diagnosis of the pathologic evaluation was a solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas.

Most pediatric pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas present with a palpable mass and abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare presentation not mentioned in previous case reports.