Causes

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

Symptoms

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

Exams and Tests

Patients with pancreatic abscesses usually have had pancreatitis. However, the complication often takes 7 or more days to develop.

Symptoms usually include:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever

Signs of an abscess can be seen on:

• CT scan
• MRI of the abdomen
• Ultrasound

Treatment

It may be possible to drain the abscess through the skin (percutaneous). Surgery to drain the abscess and remove dead tissue is often needed.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How the person does depends on how severe the infection is. The death rate from undrained pancreatic abscesses is very high.

Possible Complications

• Multiple abscesses
• Sepsis

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have persistent abdominal pain with fever or other signs of a pancreatic abscess, particularly if you have recently had a pancreatic pseudocyst or pancreatitis.

Prevention

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

References

Update Date: 1/20/2012

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.