Mediastinal extension of a complicated pancreatic pseudocyst; a case report and literature review

J Med Case Rep. 2007 Apr 25:1:12. doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-1-12.

Abstract

Background: Mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis.

Case presentation: This case report describes the management of a difficult case of pancreatic pseudocyst with a mediastinal extension in a patient having chronic pancreatitis. Different management strategies were used until complete resolution of this complex pseudocyst occurred using open surgical cystogastrostomy.

Conclusion: Despite the availablity of different minimally invasive techniques to treat pancreatic pseudocysts, management of complex mediastinal pseudocyst may still require open surgical drainage procedures.