A Review of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions on Imaging

Samuel J. Galgano MD, Avinash R. Kambadakone MD, Christian B. van der Pol MD

Key Points

• Pancreatic cystic lesions are an extremely common incidental finding on abdominal imaging with a variety of etiologies and syndromic associations.
• Emerging data on pancreatic cystic lesion fluid analysis may yield improved diagnostic accuracy compared to exclusive morphologic assessment using computed tomography, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound.
• The association of incidental pancreatic cystic lesions with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is likely overstated in older literature but more data are needed to confidently revise existing surveillance guidelines.