Evolving Endoscopic Approaches to Pancreatic Pseudocysts and Walled-Off Necrosis: Case Series and Review of Evidence

Imaging followed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided therapy has become the preferred modality for treating pancreatic pseudocysts over surgical or radiological interventions. However, there continues to be a lack of consensus regarding the utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before and after cyst drainage. We describe 4 cases of large pancreatic pseudocyst causing extrinsic biliary obstruction treated successfully with endoscopic cystogastrostomy decompression using a lumen-apposing self-expandable metal stent (LAMS) without ERCP. Endoscopic cystogastrostomy with LAMS was successful in all cases; none required ERCP. As endoscopic therapeutic systems continue to evolve, ERCP is becoming less essential to improve outcomes in patients with extrinsic biliary obstruction by pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis.