Endoscopic Drainage of Pancreatic Fluid Collections

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are non-epithelial-lined, cystic, fluid-filled cavities that develop as a result of inflammatory conditions of the pancreas in acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or pancreatic duct obstruction (Bollen et al. 2007). Approximately 16–50% of episodes of acute pancreatitis and 20–40% of chronic pancreatitis complicate with fluid collections (Bollen et al. 2007; Singhal et al. 2006; Giovannini 2005). The majority of PFCs are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously (Giovannini 2005). For symptomatic PFCs, the clinical presentation is related to the location and size of the collection, and the presence of infection.