Pancreatic abscess

• Illustrations
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Definition    Return to top

A pancreatic abscess is cavity of pus within the pancreas.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

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

Symptoms    Return to top

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

Signs and tests    Return to top

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    Return to top

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

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

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

Complications    Return to top

• Multiple abscesses
• Sepsis

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

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    Return to top

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