An unusual presentation of pancreatic serous cystadenoma

Abstract

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are predominantly benign entities which represent almost 50 percent of all cystic lesions of the pancreas. PCNs are often an incidental finding on abdominal imaging and are not indicated for surgical resection unless they show evidence of malignant transformation or become symptomatic due to mass effect. This report examines an unusual presentation of a PCN, in a 70 years old female with sudden onset abdominal pain, who was found to have spontaneous intraabdominal haemorrhage secondary to a benign PCN. Emergency laparotomy was performed and a distal pancreatectomy or splenectomy were required to achieve haemostasis. Incidence of spontaneous haemorrhage in a benign PCN is a rare but serious complication.