Acinar Cell Cystadenoma
Vikram Deshpande, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Benign pancreatic cyst lined by acinar cells
Clinical Issues
Young to middle-aged
Benign cyst without risk of malignant transformation
Macroscopic Features
Unilocular to multilocular thin-walled cyst(s) filled with serous fluid
Microscopic Pathology
Cysts lined by single layer of cuboidal epithelium without multilayering
Budding/incipient acinar structures frequently seen, providing evidence of acinar differentiation
Ancillary Tests
Lining cells are positive for trypsin &/or lipase
 This acinar cell cystadenoma shows multiple unilocular thin-walled cysts. The cysts are filled with clear fluid and lack a mural nodule. |
 Acinar cell cystadenomas are lined by a single layer of cuboidal epithelium and could easily be mistaken for a serous cystadenomas. |
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Benign pancreatic cyst lined by cells with acinar cell differentiation
CLINICAL ISSUES
Epidemiology
Age
Young to middle-aged
Reported range: 16-66 years
Gender
More common in women
Presentation
Abdominal pain
Incidentally detected by imaging
Natural History
Benign cyst without risk of malignant transformation
Treatment
Surgical resection is curative
Prognosis
Benign tumor with excellent prognosis
IMAGE FINDINGS
