Clinical manifestations, imaging features, and endoscopic management of renal pseudocysts: a case series

Renal pseudocysts (RP) are rare and we know little about their presentation and management. In the present case series, we present the pertinent clinico-radiological features as well as the role of endoscopic drainage in symptomatic RP.

A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with RP seen in our unit over the last 12 years. Patient symptoms, imaging findings and details of endoscopic or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage procedures were evaluated.

Eight patients with RP (7 male; mean age: 33.1 years) were studied. Seven patients had underlying chronic pancreatitis (calcific in 3), predominantly alcohol-related. The mean size of the RP was 8.5 cm. All patients presented with abdominal pain and none had urinary complaints. The RP could be well detected on both contrast-enhanced computed tomography and EUS. None of the patients had significant debris on EUS. Five patients were treated with combined transmural and transpapillary drainage, 2 patients were treated with transpapillary drainage alone, while combined percutaneous and transpapillary drainage was performed in 1 patient. All patients had partial disruption of the main pancreatic duct and a bridging transpapillary endoprosthesis was successfully placed. The RP resolved in all patients within 2-6 weeks and no patient required surgery. There were no complications and no patient had recurrence of RP over a follow-up period of 3-118 months.

RP are usually associated with abdominal pain and do not cause renal symptoms. Endoscopic drainage is a safe and effective minimally invasive management option for RP.