Pancreatic cyst

A pancreatic cyst is a fluid filled sac within the pancreas.

Not to be confused with Pancreatic pseudocyst.
Pancreatic cyst
SpecialtyGastroenterology
Relative incidences of various pancreatic neoplasms, with cysts annotated at center right.[1] Also, non-neoplastic cysts include pseudocyst, retention cyst, benign epithelial cysts, lymphoepithelial cysts, squamous lined cysts (dermoid cyst and epidermal cyst in intrapancreatic accessory spleen), mucinous nonneoplastic cysts, and lymphangiomas.[2]

Causes range from benign to malignant. Pancreatic cysts can occur in the setting of pancreatitis, though they are only reliably diagnosed 6 weeks after the episode of acute pancreatitis.

Benign tumors such as serous cystadenomas can occur. Main branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are associated with dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, while side branch IPMNs are typically benign, and not associated with dilatation. MRCP can help distinguish the position of the cysts relative to the pancreatic duct, and direct appropriate treatment and follow-up. The most common malignancy that can present as a pancreatic cyst is a mucinous cystic neoplasm.

Follow up guidelines

Cysts from 1–5 mm on CT or ultrasound are typically too small to characterize and considered benign. No further imaging follow-up is recommended for these lesions. Cysts from 6–9 mm require a single follow-up in 2–3 years, preferably with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to better evaluate the pancreatic duct. If stable at follow-up, no further imaging follow-up is recommended. For cysts from 1–1.9 cm follow-up is suggested with MRCP or multiphasic CT in 1–2 years. If stable at follow-up, the interval of imaging follow-up is increased to 2–3 years. Cysts from 2–2.9 cm have more malignant potential, and a baseline endoscopic ultrasound is suggested, followed by MRCP or multiphasic CT in 6–12 months. If patients are young, surgery may be considered to avoid the need for prolonged surveillance. If these cysts are stable at follow-up, interval imaging follow-up can be done in 1–2 years.[3]

References
  1. Wang Y, Miller FH, Chen ZE, Merrick L, Mortele KJ, Hoff FL; et al. (2011). "Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of solid and cystic lesions of the pancreas". Radiographics. 31 (3): E47-64. doi:10.1148/rg.313105174. PMID 21721197.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    Diagram by Mikael Häggström, M.D.
  2. Kim YS, Cho JH (2015). "Rare nonneoplastic cysts of pancreas". Clin Endosc. 48 (1): 31–8. doi:10.5946/ce.2015.48.1.31. PMC 4323429. PMID 25674524.
  3. Campbell, NM; Katz, SS; Escalon, JG; Do, RK (March 2015). "Imaging patterns of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: an illustrated discussion of the International Consensus Guidelines for the Management of IPMN". Abdominal Imaging. 40 (3): 663–77. doi:10.1007/s00261-014-0236-4. PMID 25219664.
  • Scholten L, van Huijgevoort N, C, M, van Hooft J, E, Besselink M, G, Del Chiaro M: Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Different Types, Different Management, New Guidelines. Visc Med 2018;34:173-177. doi: 10.1159/000489641 Review article
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