Analysis of Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

Pancreatic cysts are extremely common, and are identified in between 2% to 13% on abdominal imaging studies. Most pancreatic cysts are pseudocysts, serous cystic neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. The management of pancreatic cysts depends on whether a cyst is benign, has malignant potential, or harbors high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma. The diagnosis of pancreatic cysts, and assessment of risk of malignant transformation, incorporates clinical history, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration of cyst fluid. This article reviews the cyst fluid markers that are currently used, as well as promising markers under development.