Digestive system - Hartford, Connecticut CT

Digestive system

Endocrine glands

Pancreas

Pancreatic abscess

Definition:

A pancreatic abscess is cavity of pus within the pancreas.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pancreatic abscesses develop in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts that become infected.

Symptoms:

Signs and tests:

Patients with pancreatic abscesses usually have a history of pancreatitis. They usually develop fevers and abdominal pain, and have evidence of an abscess on an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI of the abdomen.

Treatment:

Percutaneous (through the skin) drainage of the abscess may be possible. Laparotomy with drainage and possible surgical removal of dead tissue may be required.

Support Groups:

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is related to the severity of the infection. The death rate from undrained pancreatic abscesses is very high.

Complications:

Multiple abscesses
Sepsis

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if persistent abdominal pain with fever or other signs of pancreatic abscess develops, particularly if you have recently had a pancreatic pseudocyst or pancreatitis.

Prevention:

Adequate drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst may help prevent some cases of pancreatic abscess. However, in many cases the disorder is not preventable.

Review Date: 10/22/2004
Reviewed By: Brendan T. Campbell, MD, MPH, Department of Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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