Pancreatic polypeptide cell hyperplasia of the pancreas

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 59; no. 10; pp. 1087 - 1090
• Main Authors: Albazaz, R, Da Costa, P E, Verbeke, C S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.10.2006; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Case Report; DIC; ductulo-insular complex; Family medical history; Histology; Humans; Hyperplasia - complications; Hyperplasia - pathology; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - etiology; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; MEN I; Morphology; multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1; Pancreas; Pancreas - pathology; pancreatic endocrine tumour; pancreatic polypeptide cell hyperplasia; Pancreatic Polypeptide-Secreting Cells - pathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; PET; Polypeptides; Population; PPCH; Rodents; Tomography; Tumors; Pancreatic hormone; Anatomic pathology; Pancreatic polypeptide; Pancreas; Cell; Hyperplasia
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2005.030478

A case of pancreatic polypeptide cell hyperplasia in a 76-year-old man who presented with subacute bowel pseudo-obstruction is reported. A computed tomography scan incidentally showed a pancreatic head lesion that was resected by pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histological examination showed expansion of the endocrine pancreas with increased numbers of pancreatic polypeptide cells in irregularly enlarged islets, ragged endocrine cell clusters, ductulo-insular complexes and microadenomas. The clinicopathological features of this rare and poorly understood condition are discussed.