title: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy in a solitary true pancreatic cyst.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solitary true pancreatic cysts (STPCs), or epithelial cysts, are benign lesions that are extremely rare in adult patients. Advances in radiographic techniques have improved the ability to identify pancreatic cystic lesions. We report a case of a large and symptomatic STPC in a 47-year-old female patient who was treated successfully with spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. We also review the clinical and pathologic features of all reported STPCs within the past 25 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  To compose the review, we did a search of the international literature for STPCs that had occurred in adults. Fourteen related articles were found describing cases of STPCs. Clinical and pathologic information was collected for all of the reported pancreatic cysts, and a database was formed. STPCs are detected more frequently in women than in men. The mean age of occurrence is 43.2 years, and the mean cyst size is 5.6 cm. Fifty percent of true cysts are located in the head of the pancreas. Size and site are responsible for the symptoms caused, although 22.8% were asymptomatic. Diagnosis was made postoperatively in all cases by histopathologic studies. No case of malignancy was reported in any STPC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STPCs are rare and benign lesions commonly discovered incidentally during abdominal imaging. Surgical treatment is considered the appropriate therapy for large and symptomatic STPCs. The definitive diagnosis is established by histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies.
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital-Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. nickos.michalopoulos@gmail.com.
authors: Nickos
authors: N
authors: Michalopoulos
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Styliani
authors: S
authors: Laskou
authors: Pathology Department, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Karayannopoulou
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Theodossis S
authors: TS
authors: Papavramidis
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Pliakos
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Isaak
authors: I
authors: Kesisoglou
authors: Third Department of Surgery, Ahepa University Hospital, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Spiros T
authors: ST
authors: Papavramidis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013154:Spleen / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed