Imaging diagnosis of the cystic lesions of pancreas

Pancreatic lesions embrace a spectrum of diseases ranging from benign to malignant cases. Different imaging findings related to common cystic lesions of pancreas are discussed in this article. Congenital cysts are derived from abnormal pancreatic ducts,which are lined with endothelium retention cysts and resulted from the obstruction of pancreatic duct and are typically found patients with pancreatic neoplasms.A solid mass can be found proximal to the retention cysts.The main content of traumatic pseudocysts are hematoma,and the content of pancreatitisp seudocysts are necroses,inflammatory effusion,blood and pancreatin. In pancreatic carcinoma, cystic lesions represent necroses and liquefaction in the center of mass.Serous cystadenomas are benign progression.Mucinous cystadenomas are potential malignant lesions which usually are solid and cystic masses with lobulated margin,and may be indistinguishable from mucinous cystadenocarcinoma due to the similar imaging findings.It is most important to distinguish pseudocysts, especially pancreatitis pseudocyst from cystadenoma. The clinical history of severe pancreatitis appearances to be useful in differentiation.