A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of tissue, fluid, debris, pancreatic enzymes, and blood that can develop after acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatic pseudocysts usually develop following an episode of severe acute pancreatitis. They often occur when the pancreatic ducts are disrupted by inflammation that occurs during pancreatitis. Risk factors for pancreatic pseudocyst are acute pancreatitis, abdominal trauma, and chronic pancreatitis.

• Persistent abdominal pain, may radiate to the back
• Abdominal mass
• Inability to eat

The health care provider may palpate your abdomen to feel for a pseudocyst, which feels like a mass in the middle or left upper abdomen.

Tests that may help diagnose pancreatic pseudocyst include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal MRI