Pancreatic pseudocyst: successful treatment by percutaneous external catheter drainage.

A pseudocyst of the pancreas in a 6-year-old girl persisted for 2 months despite bowel rest and nutritional support. Following percutaneous introduction of a catheter into the cyst under ultrasound guidance and external catheter drainage for 11 days, the pseudocyst resolved completely and permanently. Nonoperative percutaneous techniques for drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in children may be an effective alternative to surgical intervention.