Ascitic fluid cytology in a rare case of pseudomyxoma peritonei originating from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas

摘要

Dear Editor, Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PP) is a clinical entity characterized by intraperitoneal deposits of mucin, related to a mucinous neoplasm of an intra-abdominal organ. The vast majority of the cases are associated with a low-grade epithelial mucinous neoplasm of the appendix. It has recently been suggested that PP is a disease of MUC2-expressing goblet cells. Intraductal papillary mucinous tumour (IPMN) is a rare pancreatic tumour characterized by papillary growth within ectatic or cystically dilated ducts filled with mucus. The lesion mainly arises in the main pancreatic duct or its major branches. The tumour cells exhibit a wide range of dysplasia, from adenoma to carcinoma. Only few cases of coexistent PP and IPMN have been reported in the literature. In this report we describe the cytological findings in asdtic fluid of a case of PP that occurred in a patient with IPMN of the pancreas.'