Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim:To study the characterization of cystic lesions of pancreas by computer tomography scan. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients with proven diagnosis were selected. CT protocol for imaging pancreas includes triphasic scan which is a non-contrast study, arterial phase, a late arterial phase and a venous phase imaging. Triphasic CT protocol paves way for selective visualization of main arterial, venous structures, hence allowing assessment of vascular invasion by the tumour. The features of cystic lesions in the pancreas were studied like the overall size of the lesion, location, thickness of septation, nature of calcification, pancreatic duct dilatation if any, size of the largest cyst within the lesion, approximate number of cysts, presence of any solid component, nature of enhancement, presence of the wall and contour of the lesion were studied. Results: Out of the total 60 patients, 29 patients had pseudocysts and 31 patients had neoplastic cysts proven by histopathology or endoscopy guided aspiration. The neoplastic cysts include 8 benign IPMN, 11 serous cystadenoma, 6 mucinous cystadenoma, 3 SPEN and 3 mucinous cystadenocarcinomata. All the non-neoplastic cysts were pseudocysts and were predominantly seen in males than females with high prevalence between 20-50 yrs. All of them had association with acute or chronic pancreatitis. 2/3rd of the SPEN were seen in females. About 66.67% of the mucinous cystadenomas were female. Conclusion: Pseudocysts are linked to pancreatitis. Pseudocysts are the predominant kind of cysts seen in the pancreas, with serous cystadenomas being the second most prevalent. Serous cystadenomas have a lobulated shape with an indiscernible boundary that contains several smaller cysts and core chunky calcifications. Mucinous cystadenomas have a sleek outline, a discernible wall with calcifications around the outer edge, and a reduced number of larger cysts. Malignant cysts have solid components that demonstrate enhancement.