RadioGraphics, Vol 12, 673-686, Copyright © 1992 by Radiological Society of North America
Cystic masses of the pancreas
PR Ros, JE Hamrick-Turner, MV Chiechi, LH Ros, P Gallego and SS Burton
Department of Radiology, J. Hillis Miller Health Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0374.
Although the pseudocyst is the most common cystic mass of the pancreas
found at imaging studies, radiologists should be aware of the multiple
disease processes that can manifest in a similar manner. This article
reviews these other entities by category of the origin of the mass,
including congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic. Computed tomography,
ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging studies are presented, and,
although the considerable overlap of imaging features makes it generally
impossible to render a specific diagnosis, combining the findings from
these modalities is helpful in formulating a differential diagnosis.
Because a cystic mass of the pancreas is not always a pseudocyst,
percutaneous drainage should be followed by cytologic analysis of the
aspirate. A biopsy of the wall of the cystic mass may also be necessary.
