Progression from an acute fluid collection to a pseudocyst. A Progression from an acute fluid collection to a pseudocyst. A. Unenhanced CT scan shows an edematous pancreas and an ill-defined, acute fluid collection surrounding the tail of the pancreas (arrow) with peripancreatic inflammatory changes, an appearance compatible with acute pancreatitis. B. On a follow-up contrast-enhanced CT scan obtained 1 month later, the lesion appears as a bilobed cystic mass with a septum in the pancreatic body and tail (arrow). The peripancreatic inflammatory changes are markedly decreased. C. On a follow-up CT scan obtained 2 years later, the lesion appears as a unilocular, low-attenuation fluid collection with a well-defined thin wall (arrow). This is the typical appearance of a postinflammatory pseudocyst. (Reproduced from Kim Y H et al. Imaging diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions: pseudocyst versus nonpseudocyst. Radiographics. 2005; May-Jun;25(3):671–685.) Source: Chapter 55. Complications of Acute Pancreatitis (Including Pseudocysts), Maingot's Abdominal Operations, 12e Citation: Zinner MJ, Ashley SW. Maingot's Abdominal Operations, 12e; 2013 Available at: http://accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/DownloadImage.aspx?image=/data/books/zinn12/zinn12_c055f001a.png&sec=41816180&BookID=531&ChapterSecID=41808845&imagename= Accessed: October 11, 2017 Copyright © 2017 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved