English

Abstract

It is difficult to diagnose pancreatic cysts in children. Any previous history of acute pancreatitis is very important because it can lead to a wide set of complications like pseudocyst, pancreatic necrosis, splenic venous thrombosis etc. The most known and common cause of pancreatic pseudocyst in children is trauma. The characteristic features of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, serum lipase or amylase values three times more than that of the normal range and characteristic radiological features. Pancreatic pseudocyst may occur in 15 % of children with acute pancreatitis as a complication.1 Pancreatic juice collection enclosed by a wall of granulation or fibrous tissue, is defined as a pseudocyst. As the resulting cyst has no true endothelial lining, it is classified as a pseudocyst.2 The pseudocyst contains inflammatory pancreatic fluid, mainly the lipase enzyme or semisolid matter. The incidence of pseudocyst is relatively low 1.6 % - 4.5 %, or 0.5 - 1 per 100 000 adults per year.2 Very few cases of pancreatic pseudocyst have been reported in world literature. Commonly, it develops as a sequel of acute or chronic pancreatitis. It develops around 4 weeks after the episode of acute pancreatitis.3 It is characterized by pancreatic inflammation, abdominal pain and raised levels of serum digestive enzymes.4 Here we discuss a case report of pancreatic pseudocyst in a 10-year-old male child presenting with history of abdominal pain and decreased appetite.