11
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer:Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer:
An Abdominal An Abdominal Occham’sOccham’s RazorRazor
November 13th, 2006
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, M.D.
22
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
HPI: The patient is a 60 year old man with HPI: The patient is a 60 year old man with
T2DM and a 50 packT2DM and a 50 pack--year smoking history who year smoking history who
presents with a presents with a petechialpetechial rash on both shins.rash on both shins.
–– rash: purple, palpable, pruritic, plaquerash: purple, palpable, pruritic, plaque--likelike
–– increasing fatigue and SOB on exertionincreasing fatigue and SOB on exertion
–– subjective fever that “comes and goes”subjective fever that “comes and goes”
–– abdominal pain and bloatingabdominal pain and bloating
–– lower extremity swelling bilaterallylower extremity swelling bilaterally
–– calf pain, increased with walkingcalf pain, increased with walking
Initial ED Patient PresentationInitial ED Patient Presentation
Image source: www.uklupus.co.uk/purp.jpg
33
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Lower extremity USLower extremity US
Initial outside hospital workInitial outside hospital work--upup
Non-compressible vein
(left image)
Echogenic thrombus
in the popliteal vein
Lack of venous blood
flow on Doppler
Diagnosis: Bilateral DVTs
Images courtesy of Dr. Karen Lee, BIDMC PACS
vein artery vein thrombus
44
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Chest CTA:Chest CTA:
Multiple filling defectsMultiple filling defects
Diagnosis: segmental and Diagnosis: segmental and subsegmentalsubsegmental PEsPEs
segmental subsegmental
Image source: www.lumen.luc.edu/.../Pulmonary/PE16.jpg
effusion
atelectasis
Axial CTA with arterial contrast
55
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
They also ran a few labs…They also ran a few labs…
CBC with differentialCBC with differential
Chem 7, Ca, Mg, PhosChem 7, Ca, Mg, Phos
PT, PTT, INRPT, PTT, INR
HaptoglobinHaptoglobin
B12B12
FolateFolate
Reticulocyte countReticulocyte count
MCVMCV
RDWRDW
FerritinFerritin
TIBCTIBC
ESRESR
AST/ALTAST/ALT
Alkaline PhosphataseAlkaline Phosphatase
LDHLDH
Total bilirubinTotal bilirubin
Hepatitis B and CHepatitis B and C
HCVHCV
HIVHIV
BabesiosisBabesiosis
LymeLyme
ErlichiaErlichia
Parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19
EBVEBV
…which still provided no clear diagnosis!
66
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
The patient was transferred to The patient was transferred to
BIDMC for further workBIDMC for further work--upup
First step: Abdominal CT!First step: Abdominal CT!
77
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal CT: splenic abnormalitiesAbdominal CT: splenic abnormalities
Numerous wedgeNumerous wedge--shaped shaped
perfusion defectsperfusion defects
Preservation of Preservation of
capsular enhancementcapsular enhancement
Thrombosis of the Thrombosis of the
splenic veinsplenic vein
Ddx:Ddx:
-- Venous thrombiVenous thrombi
-- Arterial emboliArterial emboli
-- Infection, ex: fungalInfection, ex: fungal
-- MetastasesMetastases
-- LymphomaLymphoma
PACS, BIDMC
Coronal CT with contrast
Axial CT with contrast
88
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Key point: Key point:
splenic capsule enhancementsplenic capsule enhancement
The splenic capsule has a different blood The splenic capsule has a different blood
supply than the splenic parenchymasupply than the splenic parenchyma
Preserved enhancement is highly specific Preserved enhancement is highly specific
for for infarctioninfarction
99
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal CT: liver lesionsAbdominal CT: liver lesions
Innumerable Innumerable
low density lesionslow density lesions
Extensive Extensive arterial shuntingarterial shunting
Ddx:Ddx:
-- MetastasesMetastases
-- Infection/Infection/MicroabscessesMicroabscesses
-- Amoebic, Fungal, BacterialAmoebic, Fungal, Bacterial
-- Septic emboliSeptic emboli
-- Hepatic hemangiomasHepatic hemangiomas
-- Biliary hamartomasBiliary hamartomas
-- Primary hepatic neoplasmPrimary hepatic neoplasm
Axial CT
arterial contrast phase
PACS, BIDMC
1010
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Key points: liver lesion ddxKey points: liver lesion ddx
1.1. Arterial shuntingArterial shunting
-- lesions cause obstruction of flow from low pressure lesions cause obstruction of flow from low pressure
portal venous systemportal venous system
-- preferential arterial supply (hepatic artery)preferential arterial supply (hepatic artery)
-- nonnon--specific (metastases, abscesses, emboli, etc.)specific (metastases, abscesses, emboli, etc.)
2.2. “Wash out”“Wash out” of contrast during delay phaseof contrast during delay phase
-- often seen with primary hepatic neoplasmoften seen with primary hepatic neoplasm
-- these metastases get more enhancing over timethese metastases get more enhancing over time
1111
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal CT: renal perfusion defectsAbdominal CT: renal perfusion defects
WedgeWedge--shaped shaped
perfusion defectsperfusion defects
BilateralBilateral
Extension to capsuleExtension to capsule
Ddx:Ddx:
-- Infarcts Infarcts
(likely (likely arterialarterial emboli)emboli)
-- Renal metastasesRenal metastases
Axial CT scan
cortical medullary phase
PACS, BIDMC
1212
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Key point:Key point:
Arterial Arterial andand venous thrombosisvenous thrombosis
Differential diagnosis:Differential diagnosis:
–– Genetic: Protein C/S, Factor V Leiden, ThrombinGenetic: Protein C/S, Factor V Leiden, Thrombin
–– Paradoxical emboli due to cardiac Paradoxical emboli due to cardiac septalseptal defectdefect
–– HeparinHeparin--induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
–– Hypercoagulability of malignancyHypercoagulability of malignancy
Further workFurther work--up:up:
-- Echo bubble study (evaluates for Echo bubble study (evaluates for septalseptal defect): negative defect): negative
-- HIT: PF4 Ab screen was positive, started on argatrobanHIT: PF4 Ab screen was positive, started on argatroban
1313
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal CT: pancreatic massAbdominal CT: pancreatic mass
Heterogeneous massHeterogeneous mass
Tail of the pancreasTail of the pancreas
Low attenuationLow attenuation
Ddx:Ddx:
-- AdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma
-- NeuroendocrineNeuroendocrine//
Islet cell tumorIslet cell tumor
-- ThrombosisThrombosis
19 mm x 39 mm
PACS, BIDMC
1414
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Key point: Key point:
Pancreatic carcinoma on CTPancreatic carcinoma on CT
HypoenhancingHypoenhancing in arterial phase:in arterial phase:
-- Indicates adenocarcinomaIndicates adenocarcinoma
-- Most common type of pancreatic cancer (90%)Most common type of pancreatic cancer (90%)
Hyperenhancing Hyperenhancing in arterial phase: in arterial phase:
-- Indicates Indicates neuroendocrineneuroendocrine tumortumor
-- Examples include Examples include insulinomainsulinoma, , gastrinomagastrinoma, ,
somatostatinomasomatostatinoma
1515
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal CT: diffuse lymphadenopathyAbdominal CT: diffuse lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph nodes Enlarged lymph nodes
present throughout present throughout
thorax and abdomenthorax and abdomen
-- pericardial, peripancreatic, lesser pericardial, peripancreatic, lesser
sac, porta hepatis, retroperitonealsac, porta hepatis, retroperitoneal
Central necrosisCentral necrosis
DdxDdx::
-- MetastasesMetastases
-- Infection (ex: TB, MAI)Infection (ex: TB, MAI)
-- Lymphoma (less likely)Lymphoma (less likely)
retrocrural
paraaortic
PACS, BIDMC
Axial CT with contrast
Axial CT with contrast
1616
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Summary of CT findings:Summary of CT findings:
1.1. Geographic splenic infarctsGeographic splenic infarcts
2.2. Numerous hypodense liver lesionsNumerous hypodense liver lesions
3.3. WedgeWedge--shaped renal perfusion defectsshaped renal perfusion defects
4.4. HypoenhancingHypoenhancing pancreatic tail masspancreatic tail mass
5.5. Diffuse Diffuse lymphadenopathylymphadenopathy
1717
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Next step: liver biopsyNext step: liver biopsy
Guidance methods: Guidance methods:
–– U/S: preferredU/S: preferred
–– CT: secondary choice if poorly CT: secondary choice if poorly
visualized on U/Svisualized on U/S
Biopsy gun tissue sampleBiopsy gun tissue sample
Result of pathology:Result of pathology:
-- Poorly differentiated Poorly differentiated
adenocarcinomaadenocarcinoma
-- ImmunohistochemistryImmunohistochemistry
positive for tumor markers positive for tumor markers
CDCD--7 and CD7 and CD--2020
Diagnosis: metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
PACS, BIDMC
1818
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pulling it all together:Pulling it all together:
Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinomaMetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Menu ofMenu of imaging techniques:imaging techniques:
CT w/ contrast: best sensitivity (90%) and CT w/ contrast: best sensitivity (90%) and
specificity (95%)specificity (95%)
Best imaging technique useful for stagingBest imaging technique useful for staging
U/S: decreased sensitivity (80%) and specificity U/S: decreased sensitivity (80%) and specificity
(90%)(90%)
ERCP: useful if CT and U/S inconclusive and ERCP: useful if CT and U/S inconclusive and
possible chronic pancreatitispossible chronic pancreatitis
MRI/MRCP: good for anatomy of biliary tract and MRI/MRCP: good for anatomy of biliary tract and
pancreatic ductpancreatic duct
Source: UpToDate
1919
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Presentation and prognosisPresentation and prognosis
HypercoagulabilityHypercoagulability of malignancyof malignancy
Common with GI, ovarian, prostate, lung Common with GI, ovarian, prostate, lung neoplasmsneoplasms
Trousseau’s syndromeTrousseau’s syndrome: migratory superficial : migratory superficial
thrombophlebitisthrombophlebitis (10% pancreatic adenocarcinoma)(10% pancreatic adenocarcinoma)
PatientPatient prognosisprognosis
Pancreatic tail masses have a worse prognosis given Pancreatic tail masses have a worse prognosis given
later presentationlater presentation
52% of patients have stage IV disease at diagnosis52% of patients have stage IV disease at diagnosis
6%6% 5 year survival with metastatic disease5 year survival with metastatic disease
Source: UpToDate
2020
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Dr. Gillian LiebermanDr. Gillian Lieberman
Pamela LepkowskiPamela Lepkowski
Dr. Karen LeeDr. Karen Lee
Dr. Eric Dr. Eric ZeikusZeikus
Dr. Moritz Dr. Moritz KircherKircher
Dr. Howard Dr. Howard LibmanLibman
2121
Michele A. Levin, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
ReferencesReferences
AGA technical review: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In:
UpToDate. Rose, B.D., Ed. UpToDate: Waltham, MA, 2006.
Bauer, K.A. Hypercoagulable disorders associated with malignancy. In: UpToDate. Rose, B.D., Ed.
UpToDate: Waltham, MA, 2006.
Juhl, J.H. and Crummy, A.B. Essentials of Radiologic Imaging. 6th edition. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott
Company, 1993, pp. 539-544.
Prokesch, R.W. et al. “Multidetector CT of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: diagnostic advances and therapeutic
relevance.” Eur Radiology 13 (2003): 2147-2154.
Reader, M.M. and Bradley, Jr., W.G. Gamuts in Radiology: Comprehensive Lists of Roentgen Differential
Diagnosis. 3rd edition. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1993.
Smith, S.L and Rajan, P.S. “Imaging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with emphasis on multidetector CT.”
Clinical Radiology 59 (2004): 26-38.
Steer, M.L. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and surgical staging of exocrine pancreatic cancer. In:
UpToDate. Rose, B.D., Ed. UpToDate: Waltham, MA, 2006.
To’o, K.J. et al. “Pancreatic and peripancreatic diseases mimiking primary pancreatic neoplasia.”
Radiographics 25 (2005): 949-965, www.rsna.org.
All radiographic images are from BIDMC PACS unless otherwise noted
Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer:�An Abdominal Occham’s Razor
Initial ED Patient Presentation
Lower extremity US
Chest CTA:
They also ran a few labs…
�
Abdominal CT: splenic abnormalities
Key point: �splenic capsule enhancement
Abdominal CT: liver lesions
Key points: liver lesion ddx
Abdominal CT: renal perfusion defects
Key point:�Arterial and venous thrombosis
Abdominal CT: pancreatic mass
Key point: �Pancreatic carcinoma on CT
Abdominal CT: diffuse lymphadenopathy
Summary of CT findings:
Next step: liver biopsy
Pulling it all together:�Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma�
Presentation and prognosis
Acknowledgements
References