Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a patient with situs inversus: a case report of this rare coincidence.
BACKGROUND
Situs inversus (SI) is a relatively rare occurrence in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic resection in these patients has rarely been described. CT scan imaging is a principle modality for detecting pancreatic cancer and its use in SI patients is seldom reported.


METHODS
We report a 48 year old woman with SI who, despite normal CT scan 8 months earlier, presented with obstructive jaundice and a pancreatic head mass requiring a pancreaticoduodenectomy. The surgical pathology report demonstrated pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
SI is a rare condition with concurrent pancreatic cancer being even rarer. Despite the rarity, pancreaticoduodenectomy in these patients for resectable lesions is safe as long as special consideration to the anatomy is taken. Additionally, radiographic imaging has significantly improved detection of early pancreatic cancer; however, there continues to be a need for improved detection of small neoplasms.
Sceusi
Eric L
EL
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA. eric.l.sceusi@uth.tmc.edu
Wray
Curtis J
CJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D012857:Situs Inversus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed