Abstract
CT can distinguish between benign and premalignant or malignant pancreatic cysts.
Solid component and septation were the only CT features that could differentiate benign from malignant cysts.
Cyst wall enhancements on CT were more commonly observed in premalignant or malignant cysts than in benign cysts.
CT is a necessary diagnostic modality to preoperatively detect and characterize pancreatic lesions.
Purpose
It is important to identify features on computed tomography (CT) that can distinguish between benign and premalignant or malignant pancreatic cysts to avoid unnecessary surgeries. This study investigated the preoperative diagnostic evaluation of cystic pancreatic lesions to determine how advanced imaging and clinical factors should guide management.
Methods
In total, 53 patients with 27 benign and 26 premalignant or malignant cysts were enrolled. CT features of the cysts were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
On univariate analysis, a solid component (p < 0.01), septation (p < 0.01), location (p < 0.01), border (p < 0.01), wall enhancement (p = 0.01), lesion margins (p < 0.01), pancreatic atrophy (p = 0.04), and a cystic wall (p < 0.01) were all significantly different between benign and premalignant or malignant cysts. On multivariate analysis, only a solid component (p < 0.01) and septation (p < 0.01) were significant.
Conclusion
A thin cystic wall, uniform homogeneity, a clear border, the presence of septation, pancreatic atrophy, and the absence of both wall enhancements and solid components were more frequently seen in benign cysts. A thick wall, lack of homogeneity, the presence of wall enhancements and solid components, absence of septation, only a small degree of pancreatic atrophy, and unclear borders were more frequent among premalignant or malignant cysts. The only CT features to differentiate benign from premalignant or malignant cysts were a solid component and septation.
Collapse