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Pancreatic pseudocyst
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Pancreatic pseudocyst

Contributors: Lindsay Carafone, Jennifer J. Findeis-Hosey MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a localized, mature, fluid-filled collection, sometimes with debris, located outside of the pancreas. It has a nonepithelialized wall of fibrous and granulation tissue, with no necrosis present. Pancreatic pseudocysts typically appear at least 4 weeks after an episode of acute pancreatitis or blunt or penetrating pancreatic trauma. Pancreatic pseudocysts can also form in patients with chronic pancreatitis if there is an acute exacerbation of the underlying pancreatitis. Ten percent of patients with chronic pancreatitis will develop pseudocysts. Pancreatic pseudocysts are more commonly diagnosed in males.

Most cases of pancreatic pseudocyst resolve without intervention, but they may produce a wide range of signs, symptoms, and clinical manifestations. These may include abdominal mass, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and jaundice.

Complications may include duodenal obstruction or biliary obstruction due to pseudocyst expansion, fistula formation into adjacent viscera including the peritoneal, pericardial, and pleural cavities, spontaneous pseudocyst infection, and pseudoaneurysm.

Codes

ICD10CM:
K86.3 – Pseudocyst of pancreas

SNOMEDCT:
111374002 – Pseudocyst of pancreas

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Last Reviewed:12/12/2017
Last Updated:09/29/2024
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Pancreatic pseudocyst
A medical illustration showing key findings of Pancreatic pseudocyst : Fever, Abdominal mass, Amylase elevated, Epigastric pain, WBC elevated
Imaging Studies image of Pancreatic pseudocyst - imageId=7911900. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates a well-defined pancreatic fluid collection consistent with a pancreatic pseudocyst.'
CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates a well-defined pancreatic fluid collection consistent with a pancreatic pseudocyst.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.