Cystic lesions of the pancreas
Summary
This chapter offers diverse images that provide an overview on the cystic lesions of the pancreas and aims to provide a synopsis through pictures and illustrations rather than through text. Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are found with increasing prevalence, especially in elderly asymptomatic individuals. The differential diagnosis for cystic neoplasms of the pancreas ranges from benign processes such as serous cystadenomas, to pancreatic cysts of low malignant potential such as cystic pancreatic endocrine tumors and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, to the premalignant or malignant mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN). Often, preoperative diagnosis is possible based on clinical features and imaging data, with surgical and nonsurgical management of the most common cystic neoplasms, IPMNs and MCNs, based on several available clinical guidelines.
