Value of ultrasonography in diagnosis and typing of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas

Objective To probe the value of ultrasonography in diagnosis and typing of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas(SPTP).Methods A retrospective review was performed in 15 patients(13 female and 2 male patients,aged 15-53 years, mean age at 30.1 years) with pathologically proved SPTP.Tumor size,location,and sonographic features were evaluated.Results Mean largest diameter of these tumors was about 66 mm(ranging 30-160 mm).The sonographic characteristics of SPTP were solid mass or with cystic component inside,encapsulated with well-defined margins.Calcification was noted in 6 tumors of 5 patients. According to the sonographic features of SPTP,the masses could be classified into three types as solid tumors,mainly solid,and mainly cystic tumor.Conclusions The characteristic of sonogram combined with clinical features may be of great value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SPTP.