Natural course and outcome of cystic lesions in the pancreas

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 197; no. 5; pp. 619 - 623
• Main Authors: Brounts, Lionel R., M.D, Lehmann, Ryan K., DO, Causey, Marlin W., M.D, Sebesta, James A., M.D, Brown, Tommy A., M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-05-2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Abdomen; Age; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cyst; Cystic; Cysts; Demographics; Demography; Endoscopy; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Histology; Humans; Intervention; Laboratories; Lesions; Liver Function Tests; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Males; Malignancy; Malignant; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pancreas; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic cyst; Pancreatic Cyst - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatic Cyst - pathology; Pancreatic Cyst - physiopathology; Pancreatic Cyst - surgery; Pancreatic Cyst - therapy; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Pathology; Patients; Premalignant; Radiography; Radiology; Retrospective Studies; Studies; Surgery; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Pancreatic cyst; Neoplasm; Cystic; Cyst; Premalignant; Malignant; Pancreas; Premalignant lesion; Prognosis; Malignant tumor; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Digestive diseases; Evolution; Cancer; Pancreatic disease
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.12.010

Abstract Background The number of patients identified with cysts of the pancreas is increasing. The current study was undertaken to assess the natural course and malignant potential of pancreatic cysts. Methods From 1995 to 2008, radiology records were reviewed for the presence of cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLP) characteristics, patient demographics, and follow-up. Results Eighty-two patients met the study inclusion criteria, with a mean age at time of diagnosis of 64.4 ± 16.7 years. Mean cyst size was 1.36 ± 1.05 cm, with 75.6% of patients having a solitary cyst. Thirteen patients underwent surgery. Operative intervention was statistically related to symptomatic, loculated cysts with the presence of calcifications (all P <.05). Malignancy was statistically related to symptomatic ( P <.05), loculated cysts ( P <.01), and male gender ( P <.05). Conclusions Our data show that most pancreatic cysts found on radiographic imaging are asymptomatic, solitary, and small and can be followed safely radiographically.