Foreign body-induced abscess resembling pancreatic neoplasia

J Gen Intern Med. 2012 Nov;27(11):1561-4. doi: 10.1007/s11606-012-2064-y. Epub 2012 Apr 27.

Abstract

We report the case of a 44-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain and leukocytosis. His initial computed tomography demonstrated a pancreatic head mass concerning for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, on further review of the patient's imaging, the mass was determined to be an abscess caused by foreign body ingestion and gastric perforation rather than cancer. This report describes the clinical and radiographic distinctions between pancreatic neoplasia and abscess. It also reviews the pertinent medical literature on how such viscus perforations affect subsequent prognostication and clinical management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Abscess / etiology*
  • Abscess / surgery
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Foreign Bodies / complications*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies / surgery
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / complications
  • Intestinal Perforation / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Perforation / etiology*
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed