Pancreatic pseudocyst history and symptoms

There are no fixed set of symptoms that the patient will present with; however, constant abdominal pain, anorexia or abdominal mass in a known case of pancreatitis. Occasionally, even large pancreatic pseudocyst remain asymptomatic.

Patient may present with signs of Jaundice and Sepsis if it is infected.

In patients whom there is incidental discovery of Pancreatic Pseudocyst on Imaging, proper history should be taken check if the patient had prior history of pancreatitis.

There are no specific symptoms that are suggestive of pseudocysts. Presence of persistent abdominal pain in a patient of recent episode of pancreatitis should raise suspicion of pancreatitis.

Some of the signs and symptoms are:

• Persistent Abdominal Pain
• Loss of appetite
• New abdominal mass after an episode of pancreatitis
• Jaundice (rare)
• Shock (rare)

Some findings which are of limited sensitivity are:

• Fever
• Guarding and rigidity (in case of ruptured cyst)
• Pleural effusion

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