Spontaneous rupture of the main pancreatic duct synchronous with a multi-focal microscopic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A case report

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal types of malignant tumours, commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage. The only curative treatment for this fatal disease is surgery and early diagnosis is the key to a better outcome and prognosis. In this case report we present a 57-year-old woman presenting to the emergency room with abdominal pain and weight loss. Computer Tomography (CT) imaging showed a rupture of the main pancreatic duct and a peri-pancreatic fluid collection with no evidence of a pancreatic mass. An Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) did not show any malignant cells and CEA and CA 19-9 markers were in the normal range. The patient then underwent pancreatectomy that revealed multiple microscopic foci of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with evidence of massive perineural and vascular invasion.