Rare case of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with liver and splenic metastasis in a 19-year-old girl

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are rare neoplasms, accounting for only 1 %–2 % of all pancreatic tumors, and predominantly affect female patients. The present case report details a patient presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain for 3 days who ultimately received a diagnosis of SPNs in the pancreatic body and tail. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a sizable mass arising from the pancreas, featuring an enhancing cystic component with involvement of the liver and spleen. The patient underwent subsequent exploratory laparotomy, a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and partial hepatectomy. SPN diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry with negative resection margins. Approximately 70 % of SPN cases are asymptomatic and are incidentally discovered. Despite advances in diagnostic modalities, preoperative diagnosis of SPNs remains a clinical challenge. Surgical management with negative resection margins remains the primary treatment approach. The recurrence rate after surgical resection has been reported to be 3 %–9 %. The prognosis for SPNs limited to the pancreas is generally favorable, with a cure rate exceeding 95 % after complete surgical resection. An SPN of the pancreas is a rare tumor observed in young female patients. Although it is classified as a malignant tumor, SPN has low malignant potential. Aggressive surgical resection, however, has proven effective in curing SPN for the majority of patients.