VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The patient's presentation of recurrent epigastric abdominal pain and jaundice, combined with imaging findings of a multicystic mass in the head of the pancreas and a dilated pancreatic duct, suggests a diagnosis related to chronic pancreatitis or a pancreatic cystic lesion.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The "bunch of grapes" appearance on MR imaging is characteristic of a pancreatic serous cystadenoma (PSCA), a type of benign cystic neoplasm. The presence of lobulated cyst margins and a dilated pancreatic duct is consistent with this diagnosis. PSCAs are typically composed of multiple small cysts with a characteristic "microcystic" appearance, which may give rise to the "bunch of grapes" appearance on imaging. The head of the pancreas is a common location for PSCAs.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option might be incorrect because it could describe a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET), which typically presents as a solid mass rather than a cystic lesion.
**Option B:** This option might be incorrect because it could describe a pancreatic pseudocyst, which typically arises in the setting of acute pancreatitis and would not typically present with a dilated pancreatic duct.
**Option C:** This option might be incorrect because it could describe a pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), which typically presents as a dilated pancreatic duct with a "prune-fruit" or "honeycomb" appearance on imaging.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
PSCAs are typically benign and may not cause symptoms, but they can cause obstructive jaundice if they become large enough to compress the pancreatic duct. Imaging characteristics, such as the "bunch of grapes" appearance, can help distinguish PSCAs from other pancreatic cystic lesions.
**Correct Answer: C. Pancreatic Serous Cystadenoma (PSCA)**