Leaked pancreatic fluid collects in pancreatic pseudocysts. The pancreas may become inflamed as a result of pancreatitis.

An inflammatory condition of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. Digestive enzymes can leak from the pancreas when it is inflamed. The pancreas is damaged as a result. Fluid collections result from this process, which are called pancreatic pseudocysts.

There is a difference between a pancreatic pseudocyst and a true pancreatic cyst. Pseudocysts and cysts are both collections of fluid. In order to be considered a cyst, it should be a closed structure. There is a lining of cells that separates it from the surrounding tissue. Pseudocysts are not closed and do not contain an epithelial lining that separates them from surrounding tissues. There may be a variety of causes and treatments for these conditions. There are also some cysts that are cancerous. A pseudocyst in the pancreas is rarely cancerous. There is, however, a possibility of them having to be drained if you experience pain or infection.

A patient lies on their side on an examination table during the procedure. Endoscopes are carefully introduced into the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus. The endoscope is equipped with a camera and ultrasound probe that transmit video and ultrasound images to a video monitor, allowing the physician to see ultrasound images of the intestinal lining and adjacent organs. Upon locating the pseudocyst, the doctor will remove it from the stomach. The cyst will be injected with a needle through the stomach wall. Testing will be conducted on a small sample of fluid. After that, a thin wire will be inserted through the needle into the cyst. After the needle is removed, plastic stents or metallic stents will be placed with one end in the cyst and the other in the stomach. A spot x-ray might be taken to aid in the placement of the stents. EUS endoscopes are removed once the stent(s) have been deployed.

Pseudocysts can be treated in a variety of ways. With supportive care, many pseudocysts will disappear. A pseudocyst may only need to be watched by your healthcare provider. There may be complications that need to be checked by your healthcare provider. It may also be necessary to undergo another imaging test to determine whether your pseudocyst has disappeared.

The healthcare provider may treat your pseudocyst if it is large or hasn’t gone away over time. To drain the pseudocyst, he or she may insert a thin tube (catheter) through your abdomen. Using medical imaging, this can be accomplished. It may also be possible to drain the cyst endoscopically. In other words, it is possible to enter the pancreatic ducts through the stomach. Surgery may be required to drain your pseudocyst in other cases.

It usually takes less than 30 minutes to drain a pseudocyst. You will need to wait for a certain amount of time depending on the size and location of your cyst. Cysts are usually easy to remove, and the procedure is straightforward in most cases.

You may experience complications if you have a pancreatic pseudocyst. There are many of these that require immediate medical attention. If you experience any severe or sudden symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Some of these symptoms include vomiting blood, feeling dizzy, yellowing of the skin, or experiencing severe stomach pains.

Symptoms of pseudocysts vary from person to person, but abdominal pain and bloating are the most common.

The pseudocyst usually goes away on its own after a few days. A doctor may want to monitor a pseudocyst with periodic CT scans if it is small and not causing major symptoms. Pseudocysts may require surgical treatment if they persist, become larger, or cause pain. Pseudocysts can rupture or become infected without proper monitoring or treatment, resulting in abdominal pain and blood loss.

Endoscopic pseudocyst drainage is available at Advanced Gastroenterology.

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