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Sub-Category:

Pancreatic Cysts

Category: Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Disorders

Sub-category: Other Pancreatic Disorders

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; jaundice (if the cyst compresses the bile duct); unintended weight loss; palpable mass in the abdomen

Root Cause:
Fluid-filled sacs in the pancreas caused by a variety of conditions, such as pancreatitis, trauma, or neoplasms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging studies like CT scan, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), combined with fine-needle aspiration for cyst fluid analysis.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the type of cyst. Observation for benign or asymptomatic cysts, drainage, or surgical removal for symptomatic, infected, or potentially malignant cysts.

Medications:
Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or metronidazole for infected cysts; proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce pancreatic inflammation in associated conditions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Seen in approximately 10-20% of patients undergoing imaging for unrelated reasons; prevalence increases with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Acute or chronic pancreatitis, alcohol use, gallstones, abdominal trauma, family history of pancreatic cysts.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good for benign cysts; malignant potential depends on the type (e.g., intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, or IPMN, has a higher risk).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of rupture, infection, hemorrhage, or transformation into pancreatic cancer.