1/4. Nonoperative management of pancreatic pseudocysts. Problems in differential diagnosis.CONCLUSION: The evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions entails a misdiagnosis risk. awareness of the problem, knowledge of the natural history of these lesions, and meticulous posttreatment follow-up can reduce the consequences of diagnostic errors. If all these precautions are adopted, pancreatic pseudocysts can be safely treated nonoperatively. BACKGROUND: The accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions remains a problem. The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of and the reasons the diagnostic errors occurred in a series of pseudocysts drained percutaneously and to compare these data to those reported in the literature. methods: Data from 70 patients bearing one or more pseudocysts who underwent a percutaneous drainage were reviewed. The pretreatment workup included medical history, physical examination, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scans, amylase assay in both the serum and the cystic fluid, culture and cytology of the cystic fluid. After removal of the drainage, the minimum follow-up period was 12 mo. RESULTS: Four patients died, and two cancer-associated pseudocysts were identified before removal of the drainage. Sixty-four patients were followed up for a mean of 51.9 mo (range 12-154 mo). A third cancer and a mucinous cystic tumor, fully communicating with the main duct, were further detected during this period.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Carcinoma masquerading as a pancreatic pseudocyst on ultrasound.Ultrasound has proven invaluable in detecting and evaluating pancreatic pseudocysts, and it is now a standard test to rule out complications of pancreatitis. In reviewing the authors' experience with 122 patients treated surgically for a pancreatic pseudocyst, five patients were identified in whom an ultrasound demonstrated a pseudocyst that was associated with an unexpected cancer at the time of operation. A sixth patient, with a pseudocyst documented by ultrasound, died prior to surgery and was found at autopsy to have metastatic common bile duct carcinoma. There was little difference in presenting symptoms, age, frequency of alcoholism, or physical findings compared with patients with pseudocysts secondary to pancreatitis. In two patients, pseudocysts were found in the tail of the pancreas at operation, in addition to carcinoma. In the other three patients, no pseudocyst was found; however, a subcapsular splenic hematoma was present in one. Five patients had metastatic disease, three from pancreatic adenocarcinoma, one from islet cell carcinoma, and one from a common bile duct carcinoma. One patient with a pancreatic adenocarcinoma confined to the head underwent a Whipple procedure and has no evidence of disease 6 months later. Malignancy may cause or coexist with pancreatic pseudocysts. Ultrasound is often not helpful in distinguishing pseudocysts associated with malignancy from those associated with pancreatitis. biopsy should be performed to rule out malignancy when operating for pancreatic pseudocysts.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. pancreatic pseudocyst: a consequence of tandem laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been considered the "gateway to the future" of surgery (1). Since its advent, laparoscopic surgery has emerged as a distinct surgical endeavor. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers several advantages over the open technique, including physical, economic, and cosmetic advantages. However, this new technique also has the potential for serious complications that could be incapacitating and indeed life threatening. We report a pancreatic pseudocyst after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy for removal of common bile duct stones.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. pancreatic pseudocyst involving the spleen.The pseudocyst of the pancreas is a frequent complication of acute pancreatitis. The splenic involvement from the pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon entity. A 40-year-old man, who had a five-year history of alcohol consumption, was referred to our hospital for treatment of throbbing pain over left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the abdomen. Except for LUQ tenderness, physical examination was essentially normal. MRI showed two cystic lesions in splenic hilum and pancreatic tail, and prominent vessels in left infrasplenic area and gastrosplenic ligament. angiography revealed splenic vein thrombosis. Because of persistent LUQ pain, he underwent laparotomy. During the operation, we found the cysts in pancreatic tail and splenic hilum. The cystic content was aspirated to check amylase, which showed the level of amylase being as high as 20,000 IU/L. The diagnosis of a pancreatic pseudocyst involving the spleen was established. splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were performed to remove both cysts. The pathologic examination of the resected spleen showed splenic infarction with cyst formation and pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient recovered uneventfully after operation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |