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Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Cancer and Oncology · NLM MeSH · updated 2026-10-29 · version 1

Citations verified against PubMedNot yet clinician-reviewed10 referencesApproximately 5 min read

Cyst-like space not lined by epithelium and contained within the pancreas.

Table of Contents

1. Definition2. Research landscape3. Reading the evidence4. Open-access studies5. Key reviews6. References7. About this article

Definition and research guide

This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.

Content available: 4 complete abstracts (901 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.

Definition

Cyst-like space not lined by epithelium and contained within the pancreas. Pancreatic pseudocysts account for most of the cystic collections in the pancreas and are often associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.

Also known as: Pancreatic Pseudocysts; Pseudocyst, Pancreatic; Pseudocysts, Pancreatic.

Where it fits in the MeSH classification

Broader topics
Pancreatic Cyst

Related concepts

  • Epithelium
  • Pancreas
  • Pancreatitis

Research landscape

PubMed indexes 3,755 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Pancreatic Pseudocyst” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 254 of them (6.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,793 records.

Reviews account for 588 records (15.7%) and meta-analyses for 21. Randomized controlled trials number 10 (0.3%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.

PubMed records by publication periodthrough 1999: 1,793 records; 2000-2009: 877 records; 2010-2019: 831 records; 2020 onward: 254 records1,793through 19998772000-20098312010-20192542020 onward
Records in PubMed indexed with this heading, by publication period. Real counts from NCBI E-utilities; the final period covers only part of the current year. Volume reflects how much has been published, not how strong the evidence is.
Show the data
PeriodRecords
through 19991,793
2000-2009877
2010-2019831
2020 onward254
Share of records by publication typeReviews: 15.7 percent; Meta-analyses: 0.6 percent; Randomized controlled trials: 0.3 percentReviews15.7% (588)Meta-analyses0.6% (21)Randomized controlled trials0.3% (10)
Share of all PubMed records on this heading that carry each publication type. Types overlap with other records, so the shares do not sum to 100%.
Publication-type chart data
Publication types among 3,755 PubMed records
TypeRecordsShare
Reviews58815.7%
Meta-analyses210.6%
Randomized controlled trials100.3%

Method: PubMed query "Pancreatic Pseudocyst"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.

Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology

Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.

Evidence from open-access studies

These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.

Study comparison — selected abstracts, not a systematic review
Study / authorsYearSource label / designEurope PMC citationsLicence / source
Pancreatic pseudocysts transpapillary and transmural drainage
Libera ED, Siqueira ES, Morais M, Rohr MR, Brant CQ, Ardengh JC, et al.
2000Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
44cc by
PMID 10674749 · DOI · PMC2423990
Management of pancreatic pseudocysts-A retrospective analysis
Rasch S, Nötzel B, Phillip V, Lahmer T, Schmid RM, Algül H
2017Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
24cc by
PMID 28877270 · DOI · PMC5587297
Endoscopic transmural drainage is associated with improved outcomes in disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Chong E, Ratnayake CB, Saikia S, Nayar M, Oppong K, French JJ, et al.
2021Meta-analysis
Design not recorded in structured metadata
20cc by
PMID 33632128 · DOI · PMC7905849
CLINICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC COLLECTIONS DUE TO ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL
Vargas RD, Leguizamo-Naranjo AM, Muñoz-Velandia OM, Peña-Amaya RG
2025Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
0cc by
PMID 40699042 · DOI · PMC12289286

Pancreatic pseudocysts transpapillary and transmural drainage [1]

Research article Libera ED, Siqueira ES, Morais M, Rohr MR, Brant CQ, Ardengh JC, et al. · · 2000 · cited 44 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundPancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage has been described as a good treatment option, with morbidity and mortality rates that are lower than surgery.
Closing excerpt
ConclusionsWe concluded that pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage is possible in most patients, with high success rate and low morbidity.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (222 words)

BackgroundPancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage has been described as a good treatment option, with morbidity and mortality rates that are lower than surgery. The aim of our study is to describe the efficacy of different forms of endoscopic drainage and estimate pseudocyst recurrence rate after short follow up period.Patients and methodsWe studied 30 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst that presented some indication for treatment: persistent abdominal pain, infection or cholestasis. Clinical evaluation was performed with a pain scale, 0 meaning absence of pain and 4 meaning continuous pain. Pseudocysts were first evaluated by abdominal CT scan, and after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography the patients were treated by transpapillary or transmural (cystduodenostomy or cystgastrostomy) drainage. Pseudocyst resolution was documented by serial CT scans.Results25/30 patients could be treated. Drainage was successful in 21 (70% in an 'intention to treat' basis). After a mean follow-up of 42 +/- 35.82 weeks, there was only 1 (4.2%) recurrence. A total of 6 complications occurred in 37 procedures (16.2%), and all but 2 were managed clinically and/or endoscopically: there was no mortality related to the procedure. Patients submitted to combined drainage needed more procedures than the other groups. There was no difference in the efficacy when we compared the three different drainage methods.ConclusionsWe concluded that pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage is possible in most patients, with high success rate and low morbidity.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 10674749 · DOI · PMC2423990

Management of pancreatic pseudocysts-A retrospective analysis [2]

Research article Rasch S, Nötzel B, Phillip V, Lahmer T, Schmid RM, Algül H · · 2017 · cited 24 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundPancreatic pseudocysts arise mostly in patients with alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis causing various symptoms and complications.
Closing excerpt
Endoscopic and surgical drainage are equally effective.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (208 words)

BackgroundPancreatic pseudocysts arise mostly in patients with alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis causing various symptoms and complications. However, data on the optimal management are rare. To address this problem, we analysed patients with pancreatic pseudocysts treated at our clinic retrospectively.MethodsWe searched our clinical database for the diagnosis pancreatitis from 2004 till 2014, selected patients with pseudocysts larger than 10 mm and entered all relevant information in a database for statistical analysis.ResultsIn total, 129 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated at our institution during the study period. Most patients suffered from alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis (43.4%; 56/129). Pseudocysts were more frequent in female than in male (2:1) and were mainly located in the pancreatic head (47.3%; 61/129). Local complications like obstructive jaundice were associated with the diameter of the cysts (AUC 0.697 in ROC-curve analysis). However, even cysts up to a diameter of 160 mm can regress spontaneously. Besides a lower re-intervention rate in surgically treated patients, endoscopic, percutaneous and surgical drainage are equally effective. Most treatment related complications occur in large pseudocysts located in the pancreatic head.ConclusionConservative management of large pseudocysts is successful in many patients. Therefore, indication for treatment should be made carefully considering the presence and risk of local complications. Endoscopic and surgical drainage are equally effective.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28877270 · DOI · PMC5587297

Endoscopic transmural drainage is associated with improved outcomes in disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis [3]

Meta-analysis Chong E, Ratnayake CB, Saikia S, Nayar M, Oppong K, French JJ, et al. · · 2021 · cited 20 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundDisconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is a complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the neck and body of the pancreas often manifesting as persistent pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) or external pancreatic fistula (EPF).
Closing excerpt
The significant variability in the definitions and treatment strategies for DPDS warrant standardisation for further research.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (233 words)

BackgroundDisconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is a complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the neck and body of the pancreas often manifesting as persistent pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) or external pancreatic fistula (EPF). This systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis aimed to review the definitions, clinical presentation, intervention, and outcomes for DPDS.MethodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched until February 2020 using the PRISMA framework. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the success rates of endoscopic and surgical interventions for the treatment of DPDS. Success of DPDS treatment was defined as long-term resolution of symptoms without recurrence of PFC, EPF, or pancreatic ascites.ResultsThirty studies were included in the quantitative analysis comprising 1355 patients. Acute pancreatitis was the most common etiology (95.3%, 936/982), followed by chronic pancreatitis (3.1%, 30/982). DPDS commonly presented with PFC (83.2%, 948/1140) and EPF (13.4%, 153/1140). There was significant heterogeneity in the definition of DPDS in the literature. Weighted success rate of endoscopic transmural drainage (90.6%, 95%-CI 81.0-95.6%) was significantly higher than transpapillary drainage (58.5%, 95%-CI 36.7-77.4). Pairwise meta-analysis showed comparable success rates between endoscopic and surgical intervention, which were 82% (weighted 95%-CI 68.6-90.5) and 87.4% (95%-CI 81.2-91.8), respectively (P = 0.389).ConclusionsEndoscopic transmural drainage was superior to transpapillary drainage for the management of DPDS. Endoscopic and surgical interventions had comparable success rates. The significant variability in the definitions and treatment strategies for DPDS warrant standardisation for further research.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33632128 · DOI · PMC7905849

CLINICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC COLLECTIONS DUE TO ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL [4]

Research article Vargas RD, Leguizamo-Naranjo AM, Muñoz-Velandia OM, Peña-Amaya RG · · 2025

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundPancreatic collections are a common complication of acute pancreatitis.
Closing excerpt
Background• Some altered laboratory parameters (creatinine, urea, C-reactive protein, and FiO2) seem to be more associated with mortality.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (238 words)

BackgroundPancreatic collections are a common complication of acute pancreatitis. In Latin America, information on the types of pancreatic collections and their management is limited and may vary between regions depending on the availability of highly specialised and minimally invasive treatment resources.MethodsRetrospective cohort of patients with acute pancreatic collections secondary to acute pancreatitis treated at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá (Colombia) between 2012-2023. Clinical characteristics, laboratory profiles and treatment received were described, comparing those who had a fatal outcome with those who did not.ResultsOf 689 patients with acute pancreatitis, 113 presented with pancreatic collection (55.1% women, mean age 55 years). Of these, 47.8% presented with acute necrotic collection, 36.3% with acute fluid collection, 9.7% with walled-off necrosis and 6.2% with pancreatic pseudocyst. C-reactive protein, BUN, creatinine levels (at admission and at 48 hours), PaO2/FiO2 (at admission and at 48 hours) and antibiotic use were significantly associated with mortality (PConclusionAcute collections are a common and heterogeneous complication of pancreatitis, requiring intervention more often in complicated collections. Certain laboratory parameters seem to be more associated with mortality.Background• Pancreatic collections are a common complication of acute pancreatitis.Background• Their management depends on the availability of specialized and minimally invasive resources.Background• A study conducted on 689 patients with acute pancreatitis showed that 113 developed pancreatic collections.Background• Acute pancreatic collections are frequent and heterogeneous complications of pancreatitis.Background• Some altered laboratory parameters (creatinine, urea, C-reactive protein, and FiO2) seem to be more associated with mortality.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40699042 · DOI · PMC12289286

Key reviews and meta-analyses

The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.

  • Research article American gastroenterological association technical review on the diagnosis and management of asymptomatic neoplastic pancreatic cysts [5]
    Scheiman JM, Hwang JH, Moayyedi P · Gastroenterology · 2015 · cited 302 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Pancreatic pseudocyst [6]
    Habashi S, Draganov PV · World J Gastroenterol · 2009 · cited 193 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Cystic tumors of the pancreas [7]
    Fernández-del Castillo C, Warshaw AL · Surg Clin North Am · 1995 · cited 139 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Management of pancreatic fluid collections: A comprehensive review of the literature [8]
    Tyberg A, Karia K, Gabr M, Desai A, Doshi R, Gaidhane M, et al. · World J Gastroenterol · 2016 · cited 120 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Pancreatic pseudocysts. When and how should drainage be performed? [9]
    Pitchumoni CS, Agarwal N · Gastroenterol Clin North Am · 1999 · cited 108 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Modern management of pancreatic pseudocysts [10]
    Grace PA, Williamson RC · Br J Surg · 1993 · cited 105 times (Europe PMC)

References

  1. Libera ED, Siqueira ES, Morais M, Rohr MR, Brant CQ, Ardengh JC, et al.. Pancreatic pseudocysts transpapillary and transmural drainage. . 2000. PMID 10674749 · DOI · PMC2423990
  2. Rasch S, Nötzel B, Phillip V, Lahmer T, Schmid RM, Algül H. Management of pancreatic pseudocysts-A retrospective analysis. . 2017. PMID 28877270 · DOI · PMC5587297
  3. Chong E, Ratnayake CB, Saikia S, Nayar M, Oppong K, French JJ, et al.. Endoscopic transmural drainage is associated with improved outcomes in disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. . 2021. PMID 33632128 · DOI · PMC7905849
  4. Vargas RD, Leguizamo-Naranjo AM, Muñoz-Velandia OM, Peña-Amaya RG. CLINICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC COLLECTIONS DUE TO ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL. . 2025. PMID 40699042 · DOI · PMC12289286
  5. Scheiman JM, Hwang JH, Moayyedi P. American gastroenterological association technical review on the diagnosis and management of asymptomatic neoplastic pancreatic cysts. Gastroenterology. 2015. PMID 25805376 · DOI
  6. Habashi S, Draganov PV. Pancreatic pseudocyst. World J Gastroenterol. 2009. PMID 19115466 · DOI · PMC2653285
  7. Fernández-del Castillo C, Warshaw AL. Cystic tumors of the pancreas. Surg Clin North Am. 1995. PMID 7660245 · DOI
  8. Tyberg A, Karia K, Gabr M, Desai A, Doshi R, Gaidhane M, et al.. Management of pancreatic fluid collections: A comprehensive review of the literature. World J Gastroenterol. 2016. PMID 26900288 · DOI · PMC4735000
  9. Pitchumoni CS, Agarwal N. Pancreatic pseudocysts. When and how should drainage be performed?. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1999. PMID 10503140 · DOI
  10. Grace PA, Williamson RC. Modern management of pancreatic pseudocysts. Br J Surg. 1993. PMID 8518891 · DOI

About this article

Sources
NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
Verification
Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
Review state
automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
Version
1, last updated 2026-10-29.

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At a glance

3,755
PubMed records on this heading
7%
published since 2020
588
review articles
10
randomized trials
10
verified references below

Counts come from PubMed on 2026-10-29; they show how much has been written, not how strong the evidence is.

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