Pancreatic abscess

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Digestive system

Endocrine glands

Pancreas

Definition

A pancreatic abscess is a cavity of pus within the pancreas.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

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

Symptoms

• Abdominal mass
• Abdominal pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Inability to eat
• Nausea and vomiting

Signs and tests

Patients with pancreatic abscesses usually have had 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

It may be possible to drain the abscess through the skin (percutaneous). Surgery to drain the abscess and remove dead tissue may be required.

Expectations (prognosis)

How the person does depends on how severe the infection is. 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 you have persistent abdominal pain with fever or other signs of a pancreatic abscess, 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.

References

Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 147.

Review Date: 12/19/2008

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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