Is it safe to follow side branch IPMNs?

Management of Bd-IPMN remains challenging. Critical appraisal of the published literature reveals that the actual treatment of what is presumed to be Bd-IPMN remains unsatisfactory, with a high rate of surgically overtreated patients. Until we accrue more precise knowledge of the natural history of Bd-IPMN, management of patients with this presumed diagnosis should be individually tailored and preferably carried out in centers with a high expertise. For now, the authors strongly think that the old guidelines should be followed in most patients because these have proven to correctly identify lesions that can be safely followed. Although the new guidelines allow for follow-up of lesions greater than 3 cm, and for the most part this is safe, they should be used cautiously in younger patients because very close surveillance would be required for their long remaining lifespan.