Giant Pseudocyst of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Pancreatic cysts are usually asymptomatic over 70% of the time. They can be benign or malignant. Enhanced imaging modalities and increased usage of routine imaging have increased the identification of pancreatic cysts. If symptomatic, abdominal pain or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, steatorrhea or palpable mass are usually the presenting complaints. Pancreatic cysts are typically assessed by cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this article, we present a case of a 33-year-old female with a recurrent large pancreatic pseudocyst, initially measured 15.8 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm, who was subsequently admitted to our unit and managed successfully. After undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy, exploratory laparotomy, and pancreatic cystogastrostomy, the pseudocyst shrunk to 8 cm x 6 cm over 13 weeks. It is rare to come across a pseudocyst of such large dimensions. Despite its large size, the patient presented with vague abdominal pain as the only chief complaint. The unusual presentation of symptoms and the enormous size of the pseudocyst make this a unique case. Managing giant pancreatic pseudocysts can be complex, as seen in this scenario by the multiple approaches attempted to treat the pseudocyst.