Pancreatic pseudocyst explained

Pancreatic pseudocyst
Symptoms:	Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite
Complications:	Infection, hemorrhage, obstruction
Causes:	Pancreatitis (chronic), Pancreatic neoplasm
Diagnosis:	Cyst fluid analysis
Differential:	Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm
Treatment:	Cystogastrostomy

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a circumscribed collection of fluid rich in pancreatic enzymes, blood, and non-necrotic tissue, typically located in the lesser sac of the abdomen. Pancreatic pseudocysts are usually complications of pancreatitis,^[1] although in children they frequently occur following abdominal trauma. Pancreatic pseudocysts account for approximately 75% of all pancreatic masses.^[2]

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic pseudocyst include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite.^[3]

Complications

Complications of pancreatic pseudocysts include infection, hemorrhage, obstruction and rupture. For obstruction, it can cause compression in the GI tract from the stomach to colon, compression in urinary system, biliary system, and arteriovenous system.

Causes

Pancreatic pseudocyst can occur due to a variety of reasons, among them pancreatitis (chronic), pancreatic neoplasm and/or pancreatic trauma.^[4]

Pathophysiology

Pancreatic pseudocysts are sometimes called false cysts because they do not have an epithelial lining. The wall of the pseudocyst is vascular and fibrotic, encapsulated in the area around the pancreas. Pancreatitis or abdominal trauma can cause its formation.^[5] Treatment usually depends on the mechanism that brought about the pseudocyst. Pseudocysts take up to 6 weeks to completely form.^[6]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst can be based on cyst fluid analysis:^[7]

• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA-125 (low in pseudocysts and elevated in tumors);
• Fluid viscosity (low in pseudocysts and elevated in tumors);
• Amylase (usually high in pseudocysts and low in tumors)

The most useful imaging tools are:

• Ultrasonography^[8] – the role of ultrasonography in imaging the pancreas is limited by patient habitus, operator experience and the fact that the pancreas lies behind the stomach (and so a gas-filled stomach will obscure the pancreas).
• Computerized tomography^[9] – this is the gold standard for initial assessment and follow-up.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) – to establish the relationship of the pseudocyst to the pancreatic ducts, though not routinely used^[10]

Treatment

Pancreatic pseudocyst treatment should be aimed at avoiding any complication (1 in 10 cases become infected). They also tend to rupture, and have shown that larger cysts have a higher likelihood to become more symptomatic, even needing surgery.^[11] If no signs of infection are present, initial treatment may include conservative measures such as bowel rest (NPO), parenteral nutrition (TPN), and observation. If symptoms do not improve, then endoscopic drainage may be necessary. The majority of pseudocysts can be treated endoscopically; surgical intervention is rarely necessary.^[12]

In the event of surgery:

• Cystogastrostomy: In this surgical procedure a connection is created between the back wall of the stomach and the cyst such that the cyst drains into the stomach.^[13]
• Cystojejunostomy: In this procedure a connection is created between the cyst and the small intestine so that the cyst fluid directly into the small intestine.^[14]
• Cystoduodenostomy: In this procedure a connection is created between the duodenum (the first part of the intestine) and the cyst to allow drainage of the cyst content into duodenum.^[15] The type of surgical procedure depends on the location of the cyst. For pseudocysts that occur in the head of the pancreas a cystoduodenostomy is usually performed.^[16]

See also

• Pancreas

Further reading

• Book: The Pancreas: An Integrated Textbook of Basic Science, Medicine, and Surgery. John Wiley & Sons. 2009-01-26. 9781444300130. Hans G.. Beger. Markus. Buchler. Richard. Kozarek. Markus. Lerch. John P.. Neoptolemos. Andrew. Warshaw. David. Whitcomb. Keiko. Shiratori.
• Habashi. Samir. Draganov. Peter V. Pancreatic pseudocyst. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009. 15. 1. 38–47. 10.3748/wjg.15.38. 1007-9327. 19115466. 2653285 . free .
• Braden. Barbara. Dietrich. Christoph F. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis: New technical developments. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014. 20. 43. 16191–6. 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16191. 2219-2840. 25473173. 4239507 . free .

Notes and References

1. Habashi S, Draganov PV . Pancreatic pseudocyst . World J. Gastroenterol. . 15 . 1 . 38–47 . January 2009 . 19115466 . 2653285 . 10.3748/wjg.15.38 . free .
2. Book: The Pancreas: An Integrated Textbook of Basic Science, Medicine, and Surgery. John Wiley & Sons. 2009-01-26. 9781444300130. Hans G.. Beger. Markus. Buchler. Richard. Kozarek. Markus. Lerch. John P.. Neoptolemos. Andrew. Warshaw. David. Whitcomb. Keiko. Shiratori.
3. Web site: Pancreatic pseudocyst: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. www.nlm.nih.gov. 2015-08-10.
4. Book: Atluri, Pavan. The Surgical Review: An Integrated Basic and Clinical Science Study Guide. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2005-01-01. 9780781756419.
5. Book: Ignatavicius, Donna. Medical surgical nursing. Elsevier. 2016. 978-1-4557-7255-1. 1226.
6. Book: Lillemoe, Keith. Master techniques in Surgery. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2013. 978-1-60831-172-9. 147.
7. Web site: 2023-06-13 . Pancreatic Pseudocysts: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology . 2024-08-17.
8. Aghdassi AA, Mayerle J, Kraft M, Sielenkämper AW, Heidecke CD, Lerch MM . Pancreatic pseudocysts - when and how to treat? . HPB (Oxford) . 8 . 6 . 432–41 . 2006 . 18333098 . 2020756 . 10.1080/13651820600748012 .
9. Aghdassi A, Mayerle J, Kraft M, Sielenkämper AW, Heidecke CD, Lerch MM . Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis . Pancreas . 36 . 2 . 105–12 . March 2008 . 18376299 . 10.1097/MPA.0b013e31815a8887 . 1964674 .
10. Pancreatic Pseudocyst: Therapeutic Dilemma. International Journal of Inflammation. 2012. 1–7. 10.1155/2012/279476. 22577595. 3345229. 2012. Khanna. A. K.. Tiwary. Satyendra K.. Kumar. Puneet. free.
11. Web site: Pancreatic pseudocyst Treatment. August 11, 2015. Medscape.com. eMedicine.
12. Elta . GH . Enestvedt . BK . Sauer . BG . Lennon . AM . ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cysts. . The American Journal of Gastroenterology . April 2018 . 113 . 4 . 464–479 . 10.1038/ajg.2018.14 . 29485131. 3584079 .
13. Book: Operative strategies in laparoscopic surgery . Rosenthal . Raul J. . 1995 . Springer . 978-3-540-59214-3 . Phillips . Edward H. . Berlin Heidelberg . 136 . en . 26 November 2017.
14. Book: Hughes, Steven. Operative Techniques in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2015-03-26. 9781496319067.
15. Book: Surgical Anatomy and Technique: A Pocket Manual. Springer Science & Business Media. 2013-11-08. 9781461485636. Lee J.. Skandalakis. John E.. Skandalakis.
16. Book: Scott-Conner, Carol. Scott-Conner & Dawson: Essential Operative Techniques and Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2009. 978-1-4511-5172-5. 455.