CT and MRI Imaging Findings of Pancreatic Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Although mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) most commonly arises in the salivary glands, its precise etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. Pancreatic involvement is an extremely uncommon manifestation, with only 15 documented cases in the medical literature to date. Owing to the absence of typical imaging features and tumor markers, the diagnosis of pancreatic MEC still relies on pathological examination. Case Presentation: This report presents the case of a 57-year-old female patient with a five-year history of abdominal discomfort. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a mass in the tail of the pancreas, which showed progressive ring-like delayed enhancement. The diagnosis of pancreatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma was confirmed by pathology following a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Conclusion: Pancreatic MEC is exceedingly rare. In this article, the authors summarize the imaging features of this tumor and systematically review the literature to provide a better understanding of this disease.