PFCs

Q: How a pancreatic pseudocyst and walled-off pancreatic necrosis can be distinguised on CT scan?

Answer:  Although both pancreatic pseudocyst and walled-off pancreatic necrosis can have a well-defined wall and absence of internal septa within the cavity, the following features can distuingish both entities.

Pancreatic pseudocyst will have the following characteristics:

• Round or oval fluid collection
• The fluid collection is usually extra-pancreatic
• Homogenous fluid density (no non-liquid components)

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis can be differentiated by

• Heterogenous fluid collection with liquid and non-liquid density
• Location can be intra-pancreatic and/or extra-pancreatic

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Reference:

Banks PA, Bollen TL, Dervenis C, et al. Classification of acute pancreatitis--2012: revision of the Atlanta classification and definitions by international consensus. Gut 2013; 62:102.