Ultrasound drainage of pseudocyst of pancreas

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted at three medical centers of Karachi from October 1998 to October 1999. Total 18 patients underwent ultrasound guided drainage of pseudocyst of pancreas. The objective of this study was to see the advantages of ultrasound guided aspiration of pseudocysts compared with computerized tomographic [CT] guidance. Pseudocysts of any etiology but greater than 4 cm size and located on left side of abdomen were drained by either Paediatric chest tube [10-14 FR] or peritoneal drainage tube [10 FR]. Drainage was done under complete asepsis after screening for Hb%, PT and APTT. The etiology of pseudocyst was trauma, biliary tract pathology, impacted ascaris and alcohol abuse. Contents of the pseudocyst were found to be infected, hemorrhagic or clear. Complete recovery took 3-8 weeks. It was concluded that ultrasound is a primary means to localize the pathology and later on to have percutaneous drainage. It is safe and convenient with unmatched success rate