B-cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis symptoms in a child

Abstract

Lymphoma which has a wide range of manifestations is the third malignancy in pediatrics. Nearly, 50% of patients have extranodal involvement. Pancreas can be affected secondarily more than primarily. A 10-year-old boy with recurrent abdominal pain in the epigastric region for six weeks was referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital, affiliated to Babol University of medical sciences (north of Iran). The patient was icteric with elevated levels of amylase and lipase. A hypoechoic mass near the head of the pancreas was detected by ultrasound examination. Pathology of stomach polyps revealed small blue round-cell tumor compatible with a lymphoma. In children with acute pancreatitis symptoms and palpable abdominal mass, the non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) should be considered as an important, though rare possible cause.