Pseudocysts of the pancreas presenting as renal mass lesions.

Abstract

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Two cases of pseudocyst of the pancreas are presented, both of which were misinterpreted pre-operatively as intrarenal lesions. Although selective renal arteriography may serve to differentiate vascular from avascular lesions of the kidney, and extrinsic from intrinsic mass lesions in most cases, a small number of extrinsic lesions causing gross deformity of the kidney can be confused with masses of intrinsic origin despite adequate arteriographic studies. In these cases surgical exploration reveals the true nature of the lesion. Should a thick-walled cystic mass be encountered which is filled with liquid decomposed blood, an emergency amylase determination should be done on the fluid, and if it is high indicating that the cyst is of pancreatic origin, either resection of the involved pancreas should be performed, or provision made for adequate and prolonged drainage of the consequent pancreatic fistula.