Korean J Gastroenterol.  2010 Mar;55(3):154-161. 10.4166/kjg.2010.55.3.154.

Clinical Approach to Incidental Pancreatic Cystic Lesions

• Lee SH

• KMID: 1775896
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2010.55.3.154

Abstract

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being incidentally recognized with increasing frequency and become a common finding in clinical practice. Despite of recent remarkable advances of radiological and endoscopic assessment and a better understanding of natural history of certain subgroups of cystic lesions, differentiating among lesions and making an optimal management plan is still challenging. A multimodal approach should be performed to evaluate incidentally detected cystic lesions. Emerging evidence supports selective nonoperative management for the majority of patients with cystic lesions, but, for those in whom a suspicion of malignancy remains, surgery is indicated. Concerning long-term follow-up, there is limited data to support the ideal modality, intensity, and duration. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of cystic lesions of the pancreas should be established.

Keyword

Cystic lesions; Pancreas; Management; Follow-up

MeSH Terms

Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy
Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy
Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy
Humans
Incidence
Incidental Findings
Pancreatic Cyst/*diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy
Pancreatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tumor Markers, Biological/blood

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Clinical approch to pancreatic cystic lesions. SCA, serous cystadenoma; MCT, mucinous cystic tumor; IPMN, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; EUS, endoscopic ultrasonography; FNA, fine needle aspiration; MPD, main pancreatic duct; USG, ultrasonography; CT, computed tomography.

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