HOW ACCURATE IS THE PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PANCREATIC CYSTIC LESIONS?
Pancreatic cystic lesions include pseudocysts, carcinomas, benign serous tumors, and mucinous neoplasms, the latter having significant malignant potential. We aimed to describe and discuss a tertiary centres experience in the management of pancreatic cystic lesions, comparing radiologic, clinical and biochemical preoperative assessment with the ultimate diagnoses. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (7 females, mean age = 62 years) with a diagnosis of a cystic lesion of the pancreas were studied. Clinical (including serum enzymes and tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9)), radiological, and pathologic (preoperative cytology and surgical specimen) features were noted by chart review. RESULTS: Ultrasound was the first imaging study in 12 patients. Fourteen (74%) patients were symptomatic; in 4 cases the lesion was an incidental finding. Twelve (63%) patients had radiologic features consistent with a malignant or pre-malignant lesion, including 1 patient with suspected papillary neoplasm, while
