Mediastinal extension of a complicated pancreatic pseudocyst; a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis. Case presentation: This case report describes the management of a difficult case of pancreatic pseudocyst with a mediastinal extension in a patient having chronic pancreatitis. Different management strategies were used until complete resolution of this complex pseudocyst occurred using open surgical cystogastrostomy. Conclusion: Despite the availablity of different minimally invasive techniques to treat pancreatic pseudocysts, management of complex mediastinal pseudocyst may still require open surgical drainage procedures. © 2007 Sadat et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.