Imaging Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms

Abstract

Incidental pancreatic cysts may show various clinical courses, from benign to invasive malignant lesions. To adequately treat asymptomatic pancreatic cystic tumors, accurate diagnosis is needed. However, in many cases, clinical and imaging findings do not provide a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, if there is any evidence suggestive of a malignant lesion, the lesion should be removed surgically. If not, follow-up should be done continuously. To date, several academic societies have issued guidelines that suggest malignant features and follow-up strategies for incidental pancreatic cysts. These guidelines ultimately aim to increase the cure rate by surgical resection and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary surgery by early and efficient screening of high-risk cases. The purpose of this study is to review the relevant findings for the definitive diagnosis of relatively common pancreatic cystic neoplasms and to discuss guidelines for the management of incidental pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Keywords

• pancreatic cyst
• cystadenoma
• serous
• mucinous
• follow-up studies
• magnetic resonance imaging
• endosonography