Pseudocysts to Susie

[Guest guest]

Dear Susie,

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of enzyme-rich pancreatic fluid and

tissue debris that arises within areas of necrosis or an obstructed smaller

duct. It isn't surrounded by a true capsule wall, thus the term " pseudo " ,

meaning false. When the pseudocyst is more developed, as will happen

when it persists beyond several months, the wall of the cyst can become more

well defined. It takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks for a pseudocyst to develop

after an acute attack. The usual time is 6 weeks, but there have been some

reported as early as 4 weeks after an attack. They are more commonly found

within the interior walls of the pancreas, but also can appear on the exterior

of

the gland.

Larger pseudocysts of 6 cm. or above are considered a threat to the patient

and are usually drained or surgically removed. The reasoning behind this is

that the larger pseudocysts have greater potential of rupture, leaking toxic

fluid into the abdomen, which creates a potentially fatal situation if not

treated

immediately. Pseudocysts between 2 cm. - 6 cm. are monitored by ultrasound

or CT-scan on a regular basis, and sometimes are drained, but those that are

2 cm. or below are usually not considered to be a problem at all, and are

usually left to resolve on their own. Most commonly, a pseudocyst of 3 cm. or

less will resolve on it's own, unless there is obstruction in the ducts that

contributes to its growth, or the patient has another acute attack that allows

it

to collect more debris.

I'm not quite sure why your surgeon would have wanted to " touch " the

pseudocyst he found when you had your surgery, but apparently it was of a

small enough size that he didn't feel it would be of any concern for you.

Larger pseudocysts like I have do cause additional pain, in fact now my

pseudocysts are the ONLY cause of my pancreatic pain, since my pancreas

has burned out. I have one that measures 6.5 x 6.5 cm. and the other is less

than 6 cm., but I've had them now for over three years. I can tell when mine

have increased in size, because when they do I have an increase in pain and

longer episodes of severe pain that mimic an acute attack.

The only way to know if your's were part of your problem now would be to

have an ultrasound or CT-scan to see if it hadn't resolved, but had actually

increased in size. This would be something that would need to be

determined by your gastroenterologist. I hope this information is of help to

you.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

http://pancassociation.org/anthology.htm#Heidi

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.

Susie wrote:

> I had surgery in Atlanta last year and they found a pseudocyst inside me.

the doctor said that it wasnt causing any problems and he said he would

touch it. where do they come from??? is that related to the

problem????????