01/09/2026
Pancreatic Pseudocyst — Medical Study Notes
Definition:
A pancreatic pseudocyst is a well-defined, encapsulated fluid collection containing pancreatic juice, usually developing >4 weeks after acute pancreatitis or due to chronic pancreatitis. It lacks a true epithelial lining.
Common causes
Acute pancreatitis — most common
Chronic pancreatitis
Abdominal trauma
Pancreatic duct obstruction/injury
Clinical features
Persistent upper abdominal/epigastric pain
Abdominal fullness or palpable mass
Nausea/vomiting
Early satiety
Fever if infected
Jaundice if the bile duct is compressed
Diagnosis
CECT abdomen: well-defined peripancreatic fluid collection with a mature wall
MRI/MRCP: useful for pancreatic duct communication
Serum amylase/lipase may be elevated
EUS can help characterize the collection and guide drainage
Complications
Infection/abscess
Hemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm
Rupture into the peritoneal cavity
Gastric or intestinal obstruction
Biliary obstruction
Pancreatic fistula
Management
Small, asymptomatic, uncomplicated: observation and follow-up imaging
Symptomatic, infected, enlarging, persistent, or complicated: drainage is generally considered
EUS-guided transmural drainage
Endoscopic transpapillary drainage in selected cases
Percutaneous drainage in selected situations
Surgical cystogastrostomy/cystojejunostomy when endoscopic treatment is unsuitable or unsuccessful