# Bridging Imaging and Pathohistology in Pancreatic Hamartoma: A Systematic Review of the Literature with an Integrated Case Report

## TL;DR

This paper reviews pancreatic hamartoma, a rare benign tumor, and highlights how imaging and pathology can help distinguish it from cancer, using a case study and literature review.

## Contribution

The study integrates a case report with a systematic review to clarify diagnostic imaging and histopathological features of pancreatic hamartoma.

## Key findings

- PHs typically show low T1 and high T2 MRI signal intensity, distinguishing them from neuroendocrine tumors.
- Most PHs are asymptomatic and occur in the pancreatic head, with a male predominance.
- Histologically, PHs are solid or solid–cystic with low cellularity and no Langerhans islets.

## Abstract

Background: Pancreatic hamartoma (PH) is an exceptionally rare, benign, mass-forming lesion accounting for less than 1% of all pancreatic tumors. Its rarity and non-neoplastic nature contribute to significant diagnostic challenges, often leading to misclassification as malignant disease. This study presents a case of PH and a systematic review of all reported cases, with emphasis on histopathological and imaging characteristics. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted up to 1 April 2025, to identify eligible case reports and series. Results: We describe a 37-year-old woman with a cystic lesion of the pancreatic tail, ultimately confirmed histologically as a cystic pancreatic hamartoma following distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, with an uneventful postoperative course. Of 687 screened studies, 51 met the inclusion criteria, comprising 77 cases (68 adults, 9 pediatric). PHs occurred most frequently in males (52.9%), with a mean age of 59.5 ± 12.9 years, and were often asymptomatic (57.4%). The pancreatic head was the most common site (52.9%). On MRI, PHs typically exhibited low T1-weighted and high T2-weighted signal intensity, with no FDG uptake (82%) and moderate or no restriction on DWI, distinguishing them from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Histologically, most lesions were solid (64.7%) or solid–cystic (35.3%), with low spindle cell cellularity and absent Langerhans islets. Conclusions: Low T1WI signal and moderate DWI signal are the key features distinguishing PHs from NETs. Incorporating these findings with EUS-FNA and immunohistochemistry can support a provisional diagnosis and help avoid unnecessary radical surgery.