title: Solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas: Findings from routine screening sonographic examination and the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) are rare neoplasms of the pancreas. We describe the features of these small tumors identified on routine screening sonographic (US) examination and the potential value of using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) scanning.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed records from 17 patients who had undergone screening via US examination at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2000 and June 2011. Each of these patients had been confirmed by a pathologist to have an SPT. Six patients had undergone CEUS prior to surgery. We recorded all features on both gray-scale US and CEUS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients (4 men and 13 women; ages 23-35 years; mean age, 27.2 years) were initially screened by US. The largest mass identified was 5.0 cm in diameter (mean diameter, 4.2 cm), and most tumors showed homogeneous hypoechogenicity. A hyperechoic rim was detected in four masses. CEUS showed peripheral-rim hyperenhancement in the arterial phase of all six masses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine screening US examinations are capable of identifying small (<5.0 cm) SPTs. These screening examinations allow diagnosis on the basis of typical imaging features, such as a homogeneously hypoechoic mass with a hyperechoic rim. CEUS shows greater detail of the rim and cystic areas in the tumor, which significantly improves the proper diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Ligang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Jinrui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Liying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Jianwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; pancreas; pseudopapillary tumor; ultrasonography