Pancreatic Pseudocysts Workup

  • Author: Louis R Lambiase, MD, MHA; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 17, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Serum tests have limited use.
    • Amylase and lipase levels are often elevated but may be within reference ranges.
    • Bilirubin and liver function test (LFT) findings may be elevated if the biliary tree is involved.
  • Analysis of the cyst fluid may help differentiate pseudocysts from tumors. Attempt to exclude tumors in any patient who does not have a clear history of pancreatitis.
    • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carcinoembryonic antigen-125 (CEA-125) tumor marker levels are low in pseudocysts and elevated in tumors.
    • Fluid viscosity is low in pseudocysts and elevated in tumors.
    • Amylase levels are usually high in pseudocysts and low in tumors.
    • Cytology is occasionally helpful in diagnosing tumors, but a negative result does not exclude tumors.
    • A CEA level of greater than 400 ng/mL within the cyst fluid strongly suggests malignancy.
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Imaging Studies

  • Abdominal ultrasound: While cystic fluid collections in and around the pancreas may be visualized via ultrasound, the technique is limited by the operator’s skill, the patient's habitus, and any overlying bowel gas. As such, ultrasound is not the study of choice to establish a diagnosis.
  • Abdominal CT scan
    • CT scan is the imaging criterion standard for pancreatic pseudocysts. It has a sensitivity of 90-100% and is not operator dependent.
    • The usual finding on CT scan is a large cyst cavity in and around the pancreas.
    • Multiple cysts may be present.
    • The pancreas may appear irregular or have calcifications.
    • Pseudoaneurysms of the splenic artery, bleeding into a pseudocyst, biliary and enteric obstruction, and other complications may be noted on CT scan.
    • The CT scan provides a very good appreciation of the wall thickness of the pseudocyst, which is useful in planning therapy.
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
    • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not necessary in diagnosing pseudocysts; however, it is useful in planning drainage strategy.
    • A study by Neil et al investigated the use of ERCP and the treatment of pseudocysts and acute pancreatitis and reported that a change in management occurred 35% of the time after the ERCP findings in pseudocysts were evaluated. Therefore, many authors recommend performing an ERCP before contemplated drainage procedures.
  • MRI
    • MRI is not necessary to establish a diagnosis of pseudocysts; however, it is useful in detecting a solid component to the cyst and in differentiating between organized necrosis and a pseudocyst.
    • A solid component makes catheter drainage difficult; therefore, in the setting of acute necrotizing pancreatitis with resultant pseudocyst, an MRI may be very important before a planned catheter drainage procedure.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound
    • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is not necessary to establish a diagnosis but is very important in planning therapy, particularly if endoscopic drainage is contemplated.
    • A gastric wall with a thickness greater than 1 cm next to the cyst tends to predict a poor outcome with endoscopic drainage.
    • EUS may also be helpful in detecting small portal collaterals from otherwise undetected portal hypertension that may increase bleeding risks with transmural drainage.
    • Transmural drainage may be performed only when the symptomatic pseudocyst is positioned next to the gut wall.Three views of a pancreatic pseudocyst noted durinThree views of a pancreatic pseudocyst noted during endoscopic ultrasound. The concentric rings in the center of the images are the ultrasound transducer in the stomach. The cyst is observed as the large hypoechoic structure adjacent to the transducer.
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Histologic Findings

Histologic findings vary with age because older cysts have thicker walls with more collagen. The etiology of the cyst does not change the histology.

  • Zone 1 - Hemosiderin pigment and loose connective tissue
  • Zone 2 - Inflammatory cells and capillary-rich fibrous tissue
  • Zone 3 - Hyalinized acellular connective tissue
  • Zone 4 - Capillary-rich fibrous stroma
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Louis R Lambiase, MD, MHA  Professor of Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga; Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Unit; Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga

Louis R Lambiase, MD, MHA is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Pancreatic Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David Greenwald, MD  Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Fellowship Program Director, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

David Greenwald, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Simmy Bank, MD  Chair, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Long Island Jewish Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Three views of a pancreatic pseudocyst noted during endoscopic ultrasound. The concentric rings in the center of the images are the ultrasound transducer in the stomach. The cyst is observed as the large hypoechoic structure adjacent to the transducer.
These photographs show the endoscopic view of transpapillary pseudocyst drainage in a patient with pancreas divisum and a pseudocyst that communicates with the pancreatic duct. The image on the right shows the ampullary area. The middle image shows a wire placed in the minor papilla into the dorsal pancreatic duct. The left image shows a stent in place in the minor papilla.
 
 
 
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