Curriculum · Gastroenterology
Pancreatic pseudocyst
What it is
A pancreatic pseudocyst is a fluid collection that arises from disruption of the pancreatic ductal system and has become encapsulated. Such collections are called acute peripancreatic fluid collections for the first 4 weeks after presentation, and pancreatic pseudocysts once they are encapsulated. It is called a pseudocyst, and not a true cyst, because it has no epithelial lining.
Causes and risk
Pancreatic pseudocysts are the most common complication of acute pancreatitis. In the list of pancreatic complications of pancreatitis, pseudocyst formation stands with abscess, fat necrosis, hemorrhages, infected necrosis and sterile necrosis, as against the systemic complications such as acute kidney failure, acute liver failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, encephalopathy, gut ischemia, hypocalcemia, paralytic ileus and shock.
How it presents
Early satiety and abdominal fullness some weeks after acute pancreatitis are what point to it. More generally, uncomplicated pancreatitis is not typically associated with rebound abdominal tenderness, absent bowel sounds, high fever, or melena, and when these findings are present the things to consider are abscess, pseudocyst, or necrotizing pancreatitis.