Almost all human organs can be subject to neoplasms. The pancreas is no exception. A pseudocyst is the same neoplasm that can be located on the head, the body itself or the tail of the organ. Most often, this pathology may not be diagnosed for a long time due to the lack of specific symptoms. Often, patients do not experience any discomfort at all.
Why does this disease occur?
It is worth noting that the pseudocyst of the pancreatic head is most often diagnosed . Doctors say that pathology most often appears against a background of chronic or acute pancreatitis.
Also, people who have experienced direct trauma to the pancreas or its wall are at no less risk. In this case, the neoplasm itself has the appearance of a hematoma, and inside it contains just a huge amount of special enzymes. If pathology has arisen under such circumstances, then only surgical intervention should be performed and the person removes the pseudocyst in the pancreas. Reviews after the treatment are positive.
Also, the appearance of a neoplasm may be due to frequent intravenous administration of IPF preparations . Unfortunately, this is a necessary measure for people who suffer from chronic pancreatitis. That is why doctors strongly recommend that when administering an IPF, they be examined regularly to exclude the formation and growth of pancreatic pseudocysts.
Least of all, pseudocysts occur against the background of surgical treatment or against the background of pancreatic atherosclerosis. The latter pathology is extremely rare.
Iatrogenic pseudocysts deserve a separate discussion. Such formations are also quite rare. Most often, they form after surgery in the pancreas. It is important to remember that this pseudocyst is not a consequence of a medical error. This is only a peculiar reaction of the body to a traumatic factor.
Main stages
Gastroenterologists distinguish several types of education under consideration. The pseudocyst can be located on the body, on the head, and the pseudocyst of the pancreas tail can also occur.
Even formations differ in the nature of their occurrence:
- pancreatic;
- post-traumatic;
- postoperative.
Also, the disease is determined by several stages of development. It is worth noting that only a doctor can determine at what stage the pancreatic pseudocyst is. Treatment is prescribed accordingly.
- The initial stage lasts about 1.5 months. At this time, the formation of the lesion cavity is only beginning.
- Stage two lasts up to 3 months. The formed cavity becomes loose.
- Stage three lasts up to six months after the onset of the disease. At this stage, a fibrous mass already appears.
- The last stage is determined by the presence of a dense capsule
Other classifications
Like any other disease, this ailment is better not to start and treat in the early stages. At the initial stage, the formation of the body, as well as the tail, as well as the pseudocyst of the head of the pancreas heals well. Treatment, reviews are often positive. With timely treatment, only a few patients experienced health problems. This is mainly due to any concomitant chronic disease.
In gastroenterology, this neoplasm is also divided by a temporary classification, that is, how much the disease exists:
- the acute form is put in the presence of education, which is not yet 3 months old;
- subacute form - no more than six months;
- the chronic form is put when the capsule has already formed and its age exceeds six months.
The acute form is easiest to treat, when inflammation is most sensitive to drugs. The situation is worse with the chronic form. Usually, a chronic pseudocyst is treated only by surgery.
It is worth noting that a pseudocyst does not always exist in a single copy. It also happens that the doctor has several growths in the patient.
Symptoms accompanying the disease
Usually, any neoplasm does not manifest itself for a long time and the patient does not even guess about its presence in the body. But doctors warn that signs still exist, and a person may suggest that he develops a pseudocyst of the pancreas. Symptoms are not typical. First of all, it is pain in the abdominal cavity. It is worth noting that at the initial stage of the disease the pain is more acute, but after a while it becomes dull or completely disappears, leaving behind only unpleasant sensations.
Also, sometimes a person may experience nausea and vomiting. This symptomatology is not typical for such an ailment. With the development of such sensations, the doctor may suggest the presence of complications.
Some of those who cured the pseudocyst of the pancreas note that the pain was most often localized in the region of the right hypochondrium (in the case of a head tumor) or in the region of the left hypochondrium (in the case of a tumor of the body or tail of the gland). Unpleasant sensations are paroxysmal in nature, and sometimes turn into persistent excruciating pains.
Modern types of diagnostics
When a patient turns to a gastroenterologist, he must first study the person’s medical history as well as assess his quality of life. After that, a thorough inspection should be carried out. Usually it consists of a gentle palpation of the peritoneum and abdomen. With a large pseudocyst size, the doctor can determine a slight asymmetry, as well as detect a small ball.
With pain, the patient begins the examination with a blood and urine test. Since this formation is benign, a biochemical study does not show the full picture. The therapist can only assume that the patient has a diseased pancreas. The pseudocyst is not determined by a similar method.
The best and most modern methods for diagnosing the disease include:
- X-ray with contrast. The pictures show signs of pseudocysts and displacement of internal organs due to its proliferation.
- Ultrasound diagnostics will help determine what part the education is in, as well as refute or confirm the presence of complications.
- EDGS detects the presence of inflammation, compression of the internal organs and the possible expansion of veins in the esophagus.
- ERCP. The most informative procedure. Refers to endoscopic techniques. During it, the doctor can examine in detail the affected area and determine exactly whether a person has a pseudocyst of the pancreas.
- CT Another informative method. During the CT scan, inflammation is most accurately displayed.
- A cytological examination is necessary with such a diagnosis, since a pseudocyst can be easily mistaken for a malignant formation.
Also, such an education can be confused with a true cyst or with a benign tumor.
Drug treatment
Drug treatment is applicable only if the pseudocyst has formed relatively recently. Also, conservative treatment is indicated in the absence of pain and education less than 6 centimeters in size.
Also, some doctors prefer to wait a certain time during the initial diagnosis and not even prescribe pills. The fact is that the pseudocyst of the pancreas can also dissolve on its own. Usually, observation is carried out for several months, and when the picture is saved, treatment is already prescribed.
The medication program usually consists of:
- IPP;
- H2 histamine receptor blockers;
- anticholinergics.
Also, drug treatment is perfectly complemented by the installation of a catheter. It is located directly in the resulting capsule. Through a catheter, a nurse administers certain disinfection drugs.
Many patients who have already experienced pancreatitis may notice that the treatment for pseudocysts with medicines and the treatment for pancreatitis are very similar. Indeed, drugs only relieve acute inflammatory process, after which the formation is delayed independently.
Surgical intervention
If the pseudocyst grows to a large size (more than 6 centimeters), does not resolve itself, and conservative treatment does not bring results, in this case, a decision is made on surgery.
Surgical removal may be different:
- Percutaneous drainage. It is considered one of the most effective ways. During the operation, drainage is established through the skin and the wall of the gland. Doctors sometimes use this method with caution, as some patients may experience certain complications.
- Linear endoscopic ultrasound imaging. With this method, the pseudocyst is drained through the stomach or intestines of a person. The method is also considered effective, but it can only be carried out if the formation is located in close proximity to the stomach.
- Transillary drainage of the pseudocyst of the pancreas. This method cannot be considered a complete surgical. Its essence lies in the installation of a special stent. It is placed in the human body during the next ERCP.
- Internal drainage. It is considered an obsolete method. In modern medicine, it is practically not practiced due to the fact that many patients tolerate such an operation very poorly.
- Complete surgical removal of pseudocysts. During surgery, a large incision is made in the abdominal cavity. This method is very traumatic, but it is very often used when the formation is located in the head or in the tail of the pancreas.
Before any operation, the patient must follow a strict diet.
What complications may appear?
If you constantly postpone a visit to the doctor and do not follow the doctor’s requirements, a pseudocyst can cause serious harm to the human body. Usually, additional surgical intervention is required to eliminate the complications.
The main complications:
- rupture (it is extremely rare, it can only happen when an organ is injured);
- suppuration;
- bleeding.
Complications after surgery are also encountered. This applies to the formation of the body, tail, and this is also subject to the pseudocyst of the head of the pancreas. Reviews after surgery only confirm this fact. So, possible complications:
- hemorrhage;
- damage to other organs;
- scarring;
- fistula formation;
- the transition of a tumor into cancer;
- infection infection.
At the same time, many complications can be avoided if the surgeon correctly and accurately performs the operation. But, unfortunately, no one is safe from malignancy. Therefore, after surgery, timely monitoring of the affected area should be carried out.
Forecast
Pancreatic pseudocyst is not a fatal disease, but a certain risk still exists. Mortality from this disease does not exceed 14%, but this is only if the person ignores the pathology and refuses treatment.
There is also a risk of death during surgery. In this case, the mortality rate is 11%. If, after surgery, the patient has suppuration or infection, then the risk of death is significantly increased.
Also, do not forget about a possible relapse of the neoplasm. Of course, it is not as large as that of true tumors, but still present. According to medical reports, the possibility of the reappearance of pseudocysts is approximately 30%. Relapse is believed to be much more dangerous than the initial education. During relapse, there is a high probability of a tumor becoming cancer, as well as complications. With a recurring pseudocyst, the risk of a possible fatal outcome is higher.
Preventative measures
There are simply no strict rules and preventive measures. Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits can reduce the risk of education. Also, do not forget about the timely treatment of diseases. It is worth recalling that most often the pseudocyst of the pancreas occurs against the background of untreated pancreatitis.
Also, do not forget about the prevention of people who suffer from hepatitis, since the disease also negatively affects the state of the pancreas. If nevertheless there are any deviations, then the patient must follow a strict diet, refusing heavy food and not overload the body with heavy physical exertion.
If pseudocysts are detected, treatment should be abandoned with alternative methods. The use of certain herbs or infusions can not only not bring any benefit, but also harm the already sick organ.