title: Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas with an unusual sonographic appearance.
abstract: We present a case of primary pancreatic small cell carcinoma with an unusual sonographic feature. A 75-year-old woman presented with poor appetite and weight loss. Abdominal sonographic examination revealed a diffusely enlarged pancreas with relative increased echogenicity and smooth contour. CT also confirmed the diffuse infiltrative pattern of the tumor. The diagnosis was confirmed via sonographically guided biopsy. The tumor was composed of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm infiltrating the pancreatic tissue, consistent with small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Primary pancreatic small cell carcinoma rarely presents as the diffuse infiltrating type. These unusual sonographic features must be differentiated from other pancreatic tumors presenting as diffuse pancreatic enlargement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, and School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, no. 95, Wunchang Rd., Shihlin District, Taipei City 111, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ruei-Fang
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Jen-I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Chui-Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tiu
authors.forename: Hong-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Siew-Peng
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jen-Huey
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Shy-Haw
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Tsay
authors.lastname: Cheng-Yen Chang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography