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Published on: January 2, 2026
Natural course and outcome of cystic lesions in the pancreas
Lionel R Brounts1, Ryan K Lehmann, Marlin W Causey
1Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort, Lewis, WA, USA. lrbrounts@gmail.com
Background:
The number of patients identified with cysts of the pancreas is increasing. The current study was undertaken to assess the natural course and malignant potential of pancreatic cysts.
Methods:
From 1995 to 2008, radiology records were reviewed for the presence of cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLP) characteristics, patient demographics, and follow-up.
Results:
Eighty-two patients met the study inclusion criteria, with a mean age at time of diagnosis of 64.4 +/- 16.7 years. Mean cyst size was 1.36 +/- 1.05 cm, with 75.6% of patients having a solitary cyst. Thirteen patients underwent surgery. Operative intervention was statistically related to symptomatic, loculated cysts with the presence of calcifications (all P <.05). Malignancy was statistically related to symptomatic (P <.05), loculated cysts (P <.01), and male gender (P <.05).
Conclusions:
Our data show that most pancreatic cysts found on radiographic imaging are asymptomatic, solitary, and small and can be followed safely radiographically.
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