Pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis manifesting as a large pancreas

Korean J Radiol. 2012 Jan-Feb;13(1):94-7. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.1.94. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Abstract

A 39-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with epigastric pain lasting for two months. Laboratory results showed impaired glucose tolerance. Ultrasonography of the patient showed a hypoechoic, diffusely enlarged pancreas. CT revealed a large pancreas, with multiple calcifications. On MRI, a diffusely enlarged pancreas was seen hypointense on both T1- and T2-weighted images with heterogeneous enhancement after gadolinium administration. A biopsy of the pancreas revealed primary amyloidosis of islet cells. Decreased signal on T1-weighted images without inflammation findings on CT and MRI were clues for the diagnosis.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pancreas; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis*
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Diseases / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Contrast Media