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[Three children with pancreatic (pseudo)cysts as the cause of undefined abdominal pain]
R van Leeuwaarde1, C M F Kneepkens, S Ekkelkamp
1Vrije Universiteit, Faculteit der Geneeskunde, Amsterdam.
Insights
Pancreatic cystic malformations, including traumatic pseudocysts and congenital cysts, can cause abdominal pain in children. These rare conditions require consideration in pediatric differential diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pediatrics
Background:
- Abdominal pain is a common pediatric complaint, but pancreatic cystic malformations are rare causes.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric pancreatic diseases.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases presented with abdominal pain due to pancreatic cystic malformations.
- Cases included traumatic pseudocyst secondary to child abuse, pseudocysts complicating hereditary chronic pancreatitis, and a congenital pancreatic cyst.
Findings:
- Cystic malformations originating from the pancreas were identified in children presenting with abdominal pain.
- Etiologies varied, encompassing trauma (child abuse), hereditary chronic pancreatitis, and congenital anomalies.
Implications:
- Pancreatic cystic lesions should be included in the differential diagnosis for pediatric abdominal pain.
- Recognizing diverse etiologies is vital for appropriate management and prognosis in pediatric pancreatic cystic diseases.
Abstract:
Three children, two boys aged 5 years and one 2-year-old girl, who were referred because of abdominal pain of variable duration, were found to have cystic malformations that arose from the pancreas. In the first boy, a traumatic pseudocyst was found that eventually turned out to have been caused by child abuse. The second boy had pseudocysts complicating chronic pancreatitis of presumably hereditary origin. In the girl, a congenital pancreatic cyst was found. Pancreatic disease, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in children.
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