What is a pancreatic serous cystadenoma?
A pancreatic serous cystadenoma is a benign glycogen-rich serous epithelial pancreatic neoplasm that can occur anywhere in the pancreas and is typically encountered in elderly women. The microcystic type occurs in about two thirds of cases, where multiple (>6) small (<2 cm) clustered cystic foci separated by thin septations are typically seen in the lesion on cross-sectional imaging ( Figure 30-12 ). A characteristic enhancing, sometimes calcified, stellate central scar may also be visualized. The macrocystic or oligocystic type occurs in the remaining one third of cases, where one or a few cystic foci are seen in the lesion without a central scar, which may not be distinguishable from other pancreatic cystic neoplasms based on cross-sectional imaging features alone. No communication between the lesion and the pancreatic ductal system is seen. Because this lesion is benign, management is generally conservative unless the lesion is symptomatic or ≥ 4 cm in size.
