What is the most common cause of a pancreatic pseudocyst?

The most common cause of a pancreatic pseudocyst is inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. A less common cause or contributor is trauma, such as a blow to the abdomen. Pancreatitis is most commonly caused by alcohol abuse and gallstones. Here’s what you need to know about pseudocysts and their treatment.

How do you treat a pancreatic pseudocyst?

Treatments of pancreatic pseudocysts include conservative treatment (watchful monitoring), surgical drainage, which can be performed through a standard cut (open surgical drainage) or by key-hole surgery (laparoscopic surgical drainage), or endoscopic drainage.

What is the most common complication of a pancreatic pseudocyst?

Complication of pancreatic pseudocyst include:

Infection.
Hemorrhage – Dangerous blood loss if the pseudocyst injures nearby blood vessels.
Obstruction – Blocked intestines or bile duct.
Rupture – Pseudocyst bursts of ruptures.

What are the symptoms of a pancreatic pseudocyst?

What are the symptoms of pancreatic pseudocysts?

Stomach pain. This may go around to your back.
Fever.
Swollen belly (abdomen)
Nausea and vomiting.
An abdominal mass found on physical exam.

What causes a Pseudocyst to grow?

Pseudocysts form when the cells of the pancreas become inflamed or are injured and pancreatic enzymes start to leak. Leaking of the enzymes harms the tissue of the pancreas. Pancreatic pseudocysts may start after an episode of sudden (acute) pancreatitis. People with chronic pancreatitis can also get pseudocysts.

What causes a cyst to grow on the pancreas?

The cause of most pancreatic cysts is unknown. Some cysts are associated with rare illnesses, including polycystic kidney disease or von Hippel-Lindau disease, a genetic disorder that can affect the pancreas and other organs.

Do pancreatic cysts need to be removed?

Some types of pancreatic cysts require surgical removal because of the risk of cancer. Surgery might be needed to remove an enlarged pseudocyst or a serous cystadenoma that’s causing pain or other symptoms. A pseudocyst may recur if you have ongoing pancreatitis.

What causes a pseudocyst to grow?

What happens if a pancreatic pseudocyst rupture?

The rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst to the peritoneal cavity is a dangerous complication leading to severe peritonitis and septic conditions. It requires emergent surgical exploration that is often of great technical difficulty and with important morbidity and mortality.

What are the complications of acute pancreatitis?

Local complications include fluid collection, ascites , pancreatic pseudocyst, pancreatic necrosis, and infective pancreatic necrosis. These complications are twice as frequent in patients with alcoholic and biliary pancreatitis. Fluid collections are common in patients with acute pancreatitis.

What is the difference between a cyst and a pseudocyst?

Both cysts and pseudocysts are collections of fluid. A true cyst is a closed structure. It has a lining of cells that separates it from the nearby tissue. A pseudocyst isn’t closed and doesn’t have a lining of epithelial cells separating it from the nearby tissue.

What are the symptoms of a cyst in your stomach?

Signs and symptoms of an abdominal mass

swelling in the area affected.
pain in the abdomen.
abdominal fullness.
nausea.
vomiting.
unintentional weight gain.
inability to urinate.
inability to pass stool.

What causes a pseudocyst in the pancreas?

Pancreatic pseudocysts are often seen as a complication of chronic pancreatitis and less commonly from acute pancreatitis. They occur when the damage of the pancreatic ducts, frequently from biliary stones or alcohol, causes extravasation and collection of the pancreatic fluid.

When to see a doctor for pancreatic pseudocyst?

If you have a pancreatic pseudocyst, know it may cause complications. Many of these need medical attention right away. See your healthcare provider right away for any severe or sudden symptoms. These include throwing up blood, fever, dizziness, yellowing of your skin, or severe stomach pain.

What’s the difference between a pseudo cyst and cancer?

A pseudocyst isn’t closed and doesn’t have a lining of epithelial cells separating it from the nearby tissue. This difference is important. The cause of these conditions and treatments may vary. Also, some true cysts are cancer. Pancreatic pseudocysts are rarely cancer.

How long does it take for pancreatic pseudocyst to heal?

They are not lined by epithelium (thus, “pseudocysts”), rather a severe inflammatory reaction results in encapsulation of the cyst by fibrosed granulation tissue. This usually takes 4-6 weeks 8,9. In approximately 50% of cases, the cyst retains a communication with the pancreatic duct 2.