Acute pancreatic pseudocyst in an 18-month old girl in a resource limited centre

Abstract

Acute pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare occurrence in young children—infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Blunt abdominal trauma which most times would have been overlooked after initial treatment tends to be the commonest cause of pancreatic pseudocyst in young children. The management of an 18-month-old girl who was presented to our children emergency room with features of an acute abdomen and peri-umbilical mass which turned out to be an acute pancreatic pseudocyst is presented. The patient had a cystogastrostomy done, did well postop and has maintained a stable health after 8 months of follow-up. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion when young children presents with acute abdomen and epigastric or peri-umbilical mass.

Keywords: Acute pancreatic pseudocyst, blunt abdominal trauma