BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound is seldom available at paediatric centres; therefore drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in children has traditionally been achieved by surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the feasibility and safety of performing image-guided internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts with a flanged self-expanding covered nitinol pancreatic pseudocyst drainage stent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case note review of children undergoing image-guided cystogastrostomy at two paediatric hospitals. Percutaneous access to the stomach was achieved via an existing gastrostomy tract or image-guided formation of a new tract. Under combined ultrasound, fluoroscopic or cone-beam CT guidance the pancreatic pseudocysts were punctured through the posterior wall of the stomach. A self-expanding covered nitinol stent was deployed to create a cystogastrostomy opening.

RESULTS

Image-guided cystogastrostomy was performed in 6 children (4 male; median age 6 years, range 46 months to 15 years; median weight 18 kg, range 13.8-47 kg). Two children had prior failed attempts at surgical or endoscopic drainage. Median maximum cyst diameter was 11.5 cm (range 4.7-15.5 cm) pre-procedure. Technical success was 100%. There were no complications. There was complete pseudocyst resolution in five children and a small (2.1-cm) residual pseudocyst in one. Pseudocyst-related symptoms resolved in all children.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic pseudocyst drainage can be successfully performed in children by image-guided placement of a cystogastrostomy stent. In this cohort of six children there were no complications.