An evidence-based review for the management of cystic pancreatic lesions

Surgical treatments of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: an Asian university hospital experience

Background

Premalignant and malignant cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are relatively rare, but absolute indications for surgical resection. Modern imaging modalities have increased recognition of asymptomatic cysts resulting in therapeutic dilemmas of whether surgery or observation is appropriate.

Objectives

To examine our surgical experience with cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients who had cystic neoplasms of the pancreas and underwent surgical resections from June 2000 to April 2013. Presenting symptoms, surgical procedures, pathological diagnoses, and postoperative complications were analyzed.

Results

Data from 16 patients were examined. Two patients had asymptomatic cystic neoplasms. Fourteen had symptoms ranging from 2 days to 6 years before diagnosis and surgery. Six patients underwent pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, 4 underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, 2 underwent splenic preserving distal pancreatectomy, and 1 each underwent a classical Whipple operation, total pancreatectomy, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy with partial resection of the posterior gastric wall, and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy with left colectomy. The operative time ranged from 150 to 450 minutes. Operative blood transfusion ranged from 0 to 5 units. Four patients had mucinous cystadenoma, 4 had intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia with varying degree of dysplasia and carcinomatous changes, 6 had other malignancies, and 2 had other benign cysts. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients. There was no perioperative mortality.

Conclusion

Any suspicion of malignant changes in asymptomatic cysts should have them considered for surgical resection. Meticulous surgical techniques are important for pancreatic resection to minimize the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Incidental pancreatic cysts: role of magnetic resonance imaging

The widespread adoption of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of intraabdominal pathology has resulted to a steady increase in the number of incidentally discovered pancreatic cysts in clinical practice during the last decades. The differential diagnosis of these cysts is broad including pseudocysts, serous cystic neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. The MRI has an important role both in the initial characterization of incidentally detected pancreatic cysts and the follow-up of these lesions and has become an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm for pancreatic cysts at many institutions. The inherent soft-tissue contrast of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provides the vehicle for providing a specific diagnosis in many pancreatic cysts. Furthermore, an MRI-based characterization of pancreatic cysts allows for selection of those cysts that are more likely to benefit from endoscopic ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration for analysis of the fluid contents. Moreover, small asymptomatic incidental pancreatic cysts without concerning MRI features such as internal septae and/or nodularity may be safely followed with serial imaging. The lack of risk associated to repeated exposure to ionizing radiation and its ability to characterize pancreatic cysts are strong arguments for selecting MRI as the preferred imaging modality for following up these lesions. However, the recommendations for imaging follow-up continue to evolve, and several of the proposed guidelines are reviewed in this manuscript.

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration on incidental pancreatic cysts. A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Widespread use of imaging procedures has promoted a higher identification of incidental pancreatic cysts (IPCs). However, little is known as to whether endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) could change the management strategy of patients having IPCs. This study has aimed to evaluate the management impact of EUS-FNA on IPCs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with pancreatic cysts (PCs) who were referred to EUS-FNA were recruited prospectively. The referring physicians were questioned about the management strategy for these patients before and after EUS-FNA. The impact of EUS-FNA on management was then evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 302 PC patients were recruited. Of these, 159 (52.6%) patients had asymptomatic IPCs. The average size was 2.3 cm (range: 0.2-7.1 cm), and 110 patients having smaller than 3 cm sized cysts. Lesions were located in the pancreatic head in 96 (61%) cases, and most patients (94%) had only a single cyst. The final diagnoses, obtained by EUS-FNA (91) and surgery (68), were 93 (58%) benign lesions, 36 (23%) cysts with malignant potential, 14 (9%) noninvasive malignancies, 10 (6%) malignant precursor lesions (PanIN), and 6 (4%) invasive malignancies. Management strategy changed significantly after EUS-FNA in 114 (71.7%) patients: 43% of the cases were referred to surgery, 44% of the patients were discharged from surveillance, and 13% of the cases were given further periodical imaging tests.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA has a management impact in almost 72% of IPCs, with a major influence on the management strategy, either discharge rather than surgical resection or surgery rather than additional follow up.

Clinicopathologic features and outcomes of pancreatic cysts during a 12-year period

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatic cysts are being detected more frequently with advances in abdominal imaging. We designed this study to identify the characteristics of pancreatic cysts upon long-term follow-up and to define the proper management of them.

METHODS

We identified 1386 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cysts at our hospital from 1999 to 2010 and analyzed clinicopathologic data including radiological findings.

RESULTS

At initial diagnosis, 515 patients (37.2%) were classified as being at high-risk for malignancy, and 247 patients (17.8%) underwent surgery identifying 128 borderline or malignant cysts (51.8%). Borderline or malignant cysts were associated with older age, male sex, elevated serum level of lipase, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), and a dilated pancreatic duct. Long-term follow-up for at least 24 months revealed that most of cystic lesions unchanged in size but malignant transformation was observed in 7 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Most lesions with low or indeterminate risk did not changed in size during follow-up period, but one fifth of high-risk lesions were identified as borderline or malignant after surgery. Surgical resection should be performed in patients with high-risk cysts considering their clinical condition, and radiological follow-up of nonsurgically managed cysts should be continued for more than 6 years.

The increasing role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the management of pancreatic and biliary disease

Pancreatic and biliary disease continues to have a significant impact on the workload of the National Health Service (NHS), for which there exists a multimodality approach to investigation and diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is fast becoming a fundamental tool in this cohort of patients, not only because of its ability to provide superior visualization of a difficult anatomical region, but also because of its valuable role as a problem-solving tool and ever-improving ability in an interventional capacity. We provide a comprehensive review of the benefits of EUS in everyday clinical practice.

Interdisciplinary management of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are increasingly recognized due to the frequent use of abdominal imaging. It is reported that up to 20% of abdominal cross-sectional scans identify incidental asymptomatic pancreatic cysts. Proper characterization of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is important not only to recognize premalignant lesions that will require surgical resection, but also to allow nonoperative management of many cystic lesions that will not require resection with its inherent morbidity. Though reliable biomarkers are lacking, a wide spectrum of diagnostic modalities are available to evaluate pancreatic cystic neoplasms, including radiologic, endoscopic, laboratory, and pathologic analysis. An interdisciplinary approach to management of these lesions which incorporates recent, specialty-specific advances in the medical literature is herein suggested.

Diagnostic and radiological management of cystic pancreatic lesions: important features for radiologists

Cystic pancreatic neoplasms are often an incidental finding, the frequency of which is increasing. The understanding of such lesions has increased in recent years, but the numerous types of lesions involved can hinder differential diagnosis. They include, in particular, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), serous cystic neoplasms (SCN), and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN). Knowledge of their histological and radiological structure, as well as distribution in terms of localization, age, and sex, helps to differentiate such tumours from common pancreatic pseudocysts. Several types of cystic pancreatic neoplasms can undergo malignant transformation and, therefore, require differentiated radiological management. This review aims to develop a broader understanding of the pathological and radiological characteristics of cystic pancreatic neoplasms, and provide a guideline for everyday practice based on current concepts in the radiological management of the given lesions.

Prospective evaluation of reader performance on MDCT in characterization of cystic pancreatic lesions and prediction of cyst biologic aggressiveness

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of MDCT features of pancreatic cystic lesions in cyst characterization and in predicting cyst biologic aggressiveness.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 114 patients (40 men and 74 women; age range, 23-89 years) with 130 cystic lesions (size range, 31-160 mm) in the pancreas underwent contrast-enhanced dual-phase (n = 92) and portal phase (n = 22) examinations with 16- or 64-MDCT scanners. Using defined morphologic features of cystic lesions on MDCT, two readers performed blinded evaluations for cystic characterization and predicting biologic aggressiveness (invasive lesions, carcinoma in situ, and moderate grade dysplasias) before pancreatic surgery. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of MDCT using pathologic evaluation of the surgical specimen as a reference standard.

RESULTS

On the basis of MDCT features, the radiologic accuracy (reader 1 and reader 2) for stratifying lesions into mucinous and nonmucinous subtypes was 85% and 82% and for recognizing cysts with aggressive biology was 86% and 85%, respectively. Predictive values of MDCT were superior for lesions > 30 mm and nonmucinous lesions. Features favoring aggressive biology were main pancreatic duct dilation > 10 mm (p < 0.0001), biliary obstruction (p=0.01), mural nodule (p < 0.0001), main-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (p < 0.0001), and advanced age (p = 0.0001). Sensitivity of detecting morphologic features was higher with the dual-phase pancreatic protocol CT.

CONCLUSION

Morphologic features of pancreatic cystic lesions on MDCT allow reliable characterization into mucinous and nonmucinous subtypes and enable prediction of biologic aggressiveness.

Current role of imaging methods in the diagnosis of cystic solid pancreas neoplasms: part II

The authors address the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of cystic and solid neoplasms of the pancreas, demonstrating that each of them is of great importance to undoubtedly increase the diagnostic accuracy of the biliopancreatic system diseases. The best method for each of several tumors is then determined.

Management of mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual management of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of the pancreas. A systematic review was performed in December 2009 by consulting PubMed MEDLINE for publications and matching the key words “pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm”, “pancreatic mucinous cystic tumour”, “pancreatic mucinous cystic mass”, “pancreatic cyst”, and “pancreatic cystic neoplasm” to identify English language articles describing the diagnosis and treatment of the mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. In total, 16 322 references ranging from January 1969 to December 2009 were analysed and 77 articles were identified. No articles published before 1996 were selected because MCNs were not previously considered to be a completely autonomous disease. Definition, epidemiology, anatomopathological findings, clinical presentation, preoperative evaluation, treatment and prognosis were reviewed. MCNs are pancreatic mucin-producing cysts with a distinctive ovarian-type stroma localized in the body-tail of the gland and occurring in middle-aged females. The majority of MCNs are slow growing and asymptomatic. The prevalence of invasive carcinoma varies between 6% and 55%. Preoperative diagnosis depends on a combination of clinical features, tumor markers, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic ultrasound with cyst fluid analysis, and positron emission tomography-CT. Surgery is indicated for all MCNs.

[Clinical approach to incidental pancreatic cystic lesions]

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being incidentally recognized with increasing frequency and become a common finding in clinical practice. Despite of recent remarkable advances of radiological and endoscopic assessment and a better understanding of natural history of certain subgroups of cystic lesions, differentiating among lesions and making an optimal management plan is still challenging. A multimodal approach should be performed to evaluate incidentally detected cystic lesions. Emerging evidence supports selective nonoperative management for the majority of patients with cystic lesions, but, for those in whom a suspicion of malignancy remains, surgery is indicated. Concerning long-term follow-up, there is limited data to support the ideal modality, intensity, and duration. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of cystic lesions of the pancreas should be established.

Comparative performance of MDCT and MRI with MR cholangiopancreatography in characterizing small pancreatic cysts

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to compare MDCT with MRI-MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in characterizing small pancreatic cysts (< or = 3 cm) and predicting aggressiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis, contrast-enhanced MDCT and MRI examinations of 30 patients with 38 pathologically confirmed small pancreatic cysts were reviewed. MDCT and MRCP studies were independently evaluated by two readers for cyst morphology, cyst characterization, and prediction of lesion aggressiveness, which included lesions with moderate-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia (carcinoma in situ), and invasive carcinomas. The sensitivity of MDCT and MRI for the detection of each morphologic feature, accuracy for cyst characterization, and predictive values for aggressiveness were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 38 lesions, 14 were side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), 12 mixed IPMNs, six mucinous cystic neoplasms, and six nonneoplastic cysts. On histopathology, 26 lesions were nonaggressive (six nonneoplastic cysts, six benign mucinous cystic neoplasms, 14 low-grade dysplasias in IPMNs), whereas 12 lesions revealed aggressive biology (eight moderate-grade dysplasias, four high-grade dysplasias in IPMNs). The sensitivity of MRCP for the detection of morphologic features was better than that of MDCT, but the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.25-1). Interreader agreement and MDCT-MRI agreement for morphologic features were good to perfect (kappa = 0.7-1). The accuracy of MDCT and MRI was higher in classifying cysts as mucinous or nonmucinous than in determining a specific diagnosis (71-84.2% vs 39.5-44.7%, respectively), whereas the accuracy of the two techniques in characterizing cysts into nonaggressive and aggressive categories was similar (MDCT vs MRI, 75-78% vs 78-86%, respectively; p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MRI enables more confident assessment of the morphology of small cysts than MDCT, but the accuracy of the two imaging techniques for cyst characterization is comparable. MDCT and MRI have high accuracy in classifying cysts into mucinous and nonmucinous categories and perform similarly in estimating histologic aggressiveness.

Role of imaging in the management of pancreatic mass

Pancreatic cancer is the second commonest malignant gastrointestinal neoplasm. Modern imaging techniques have greatly increased sensitivity in diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancers. Multidetector CT in particular, plays a critical role in local staging and determining the resectability of pancreatic tumours. MR and endoscopic ultrasound are valuable in those groups of patients in whom CT findings alone are inconclusive in tumour characterisation and local staging, particularly vascular involvement. In this article we review the current established concepts and the role of imaging in the multidisciplinary management of pancreatic tumours together with a comprehensive review of the literature.

Management of suspected pancreatic cystic neoplasms based on cyst size

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and management of cystic pancreatic neoplasms remain problematic. International consensus guidelines have advised resection for lesions greater than 3 cm.

METHODS

We reviewed our prospective pancreatic cystic neoplasm database for outcomes based on a cyst size of 3 cm.

RESULTS

Five hundred patients have been managed from 1999 to 2006. There were 349 patients (70%) with cysts less than or equal to 3 cm: 293 (84%) were not operated, including 243 nonmucinous cysts: 2 failed observation (0.8%, mean follow-up of 24 months). Fifty-six patients with cysts less than or equal to 3 cm were initially operated (16%), including 23 asymptomatic patients. Histopathology showed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) in 20, mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) in 18, and serous cystadenoma in 5. Twelve had carcinoma (21%). A total of 151 patients (30%) had cysts greater than cm: 87 (50%) were not operated, including 68 that were nonmucinous: 2 failed observation (2.9%, mean follow-up of 47 months). Sixty-four patients with cysts greater than 3 cm (42%) were initially operated, and final pathology showed MCN in 27, serous cystadenoma in 11, IPMN in 7, and pseudocyst in 7. Twelve had carcinoma (19%). Patients with cysts less than or equal to 3 cm were less likely to be operated (16 vs 42%; P < .001), less often symptomatic (39 vs 50%; P = .017), while older (mean age, 65 vs 61 years; P = .03). Had patients been managed by size alone, up to 20% would have received inappropriate treatment. Management based on aspiration was significantly better in predicting mucinous neoplasms compared with size (75% vs 57%; P < .001), including asymptomatic patients less than or equal to 3 cm (78% vs 65%; P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Size of pancreatic cystic lesions alone is not a reasonable basis for determining management.

Cystic pancreatic lesions: a simple imaging-based classification system for guiding management

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are increasingly being recognized due to the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging. The initial evaluation of a pancreatic cyst should be directed toward exclusion of a pseudocyst. Patients with pseudocysts generally have a history of acute or chronic pancreatitis, whereas those with cystic tumors most often lack such a history. Several types of cystic lesions are encountered in the pancreas. Because of morphologic overlap at imaging, accurate characterization of these lesions can be difficult. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are excellent modalities for both initial detection and characterization of cystic pancreatic lesions. An imaging classification system for these lesions has been proposed that is based on the morphologic features of the lesion. This system can be helpful in characterizing lesions, narrowing the differential diagnosis, and making decisions regarding the treatment of affected patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided aspiration and biopsy is useful in cases that are indeterminate at cross-sectional imaging or that require observation.