Pancreatic pseudocysts are fluid collections in the pancreatic tissue or the adjacent pancreatic space. It is surrounded by a well-defined wall and contains essentially no solid material. Most pancreatic pseudocysts occur as a consequence of acute pancreatitis. However, they can also occur in the setting of chronic pancreatitis, postoperatively, or after pancreatic trauma. Pseudocysts may be asymptomatic or may present with a variety of symptoms such as pain, satiety, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. The maturation period of pancreatic pseudocysts is reported to be approximately 2 to 6 weeks, and during this time, 33% of cysts are expected to spontaneously resolve. However, a substantial number of persistent cysts require treatment, owing to potential complications such as infection, hemorrhage, and cyst rupture.
Satyendra Dhar MD,
