Non-neoplastic epithelial cysts of the pancreas: a rare, benign entity.
OBJECTIVE
With the increased use of cross-sectional radiologic imaging in recent years, cystic lesions of the pancreas are being diagnosed with greater frequency. While pseuodocysts have historically accounted for the majority of benign pancreatic cysts, there are a number of rare, benign cystic lesions of the pancreas that can mimic neoplastic cysts. The objective of this study was to review a single institution's experience with these benign cystic lesions of the pancreas.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgical resection for pancreatic disease from 2005 to 2012 at our institution. Out of a total of 947 pancreatic resections, we identified those cases performed for cystic disease, and focused upon the clinicopathologic data of patients with non-neoplastic pancreatic cysts.


RESULTS
Of the 947 pancreatic resections, 256 (27%) were performed for cystic disease. Sixteen cases (6.3%) out of the total of 256 pancreatic operations performed for cystic disease were found to have non-neoplastic cystic lesions of the pancreas. Preoperative imaging revealed primary lesions in all patients, eight of which were found incidentally. Of these lesions, 14 were suspected preoperatively to be mucinous neoplasms and two to harbor pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, postoperative pathology revealed eight patients with ductal retention cysts, three squamoid cysts, one mucinous non-neoplastic cyst, one congenital ciliated foregut cyst, one lymphoepithelial cyst, and two endometrial cysts. Two patients had complications postoperatively, one pancreatic fistula and one SMV thrombosis. Both complications resolved with conservative management.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-neoplastic epithelial pancreatic cysts are rare, benign lesions. In our institutional experience, these lesions are often indistinguishable from cystic neoplasms of the pancreas preoperatively. As such, many of these lesions are resected unknowingly. It is important for the clinician to be well informed of the nature of these lesions, in the hopes to avoid unnecessary resection whenever possible.
Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
M Mura
MM
Assifi
Phi D
PD
Nguyen
Nidhi
N
Agrawal
Nishi
N
Dedania
Eugene P
EP
Kennedy
Patricia K
PK
Sauter
Anthony
A
Prestipino
Jordan M
JM
Winter
Charles J
CJ
Yeo
Harish
H
Lavu
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology