Ultrasonographic follow-up study of small pancreatic cysts of unknown etiology

• Published in: Bildgebung (Basel) Vol. 60; no. 4; p. 209
• Main Authors: Ikeda, M, Sato, T, Ochiai, M, Morozumi, A, Ainota, T, Fujino, M A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-12-1993
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreas - diagnostic imaging; Pancreas - pathology; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic Cyst - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatic Cyst - pathology; Pancreatic Cyst - surgery; Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - surgery; Pancreatic Pseudocyst - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatic Pseudocyst - pathology; Pancreatic Pseudocyst - surgery; Pancreatitis - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatitis - pathology; Pancreatitis - surgery; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1012-5655

The aim of the present project was to evaluate the prognosis of small and asymptomatic cysts of the pancreas which were diagnosed as being nonneoplastic by endoscopic ultrasonography. Eighty-two patients with such cysts had been subjected to ultrasonographic examination every 6 months. Results of follow-up for 3 or more years were obtained in 31 patients. The cysts disappeared in 4 patients and enlarged in 1 patient. The others did not show any morphological changes. The enlarged cyst turned out to be a retention cyst after surgical resection. Our endoscopic ultrasonographic criteria were effective for small nonneoplastic cysts of the pancreas, and most of these cysts appeared to be nonprogressive.