A case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms after recurrent acute pancreatitis

We report a case of main pancreatic duct (MPD)-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs), in whom diagnostic imaging modalities showed abnormal findings after 4 episodes of acute pancreatitis. The patient was 51 years old at his first admission for acute pancreatitis. He experienced two more episodes of acute pancreatitis, though repeated computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed no abnormality to explain the cause of the pancreatitis. After 3? years from his first episode of pancreatitis, CT and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed pancreatic duct dilation of the pancreas head. Seven years after the first admission, a second ERCP and intraductal ultrasonography revealed a partially dilated MPD with papillary tumors. He underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, and the pathological diagnosis was intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma with moderate atypia. This case suggests that acute pancreatitis can precede visualized IPMNs. Therefore, acute recurrent pancreatitis with unknown etiology should be followed up for the possibility of IPMNs, in order to detect neoplastic changes in the early stage to provide a better prognosis for the patient.     

Intraductal carcinoma in a surgically resected pancreas with chronic pancreatitis

A 59-yr-old Japanese male presented with epigastralgia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed narrowing of the inferior common bile duct and protein plugs in the main pancreatic duct. He was diagnosed as suffering from chronic pancreatitis with suspicion of a pancreatic head tumor, and a pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologically, a diffuse chronic pancreatitis was evident in the resected pancreas. Although no tumors were seen in the head portion of the pancreas around the inferior common bile duct, an intraductal carcinoma was found in the second branch of Santorini’s duct. Precancerous alteration of the duct epithelium, presenting papillary hyperplasia, and atypical hyperplasia were observed in areas continuous with the intraductal carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, carcinoembronic antigen (CEA) was specifically expressed in atypical hyperplasia and intraductal carcinoma, but not in papillary hyperplasia.     

Combined use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and computed tomography for identifying pancreatic abscesses

A 40-year-old male showed intermittent spike fever 2 1/2 months after receiving conservative medical treatment for acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed leakage of the contrast media from the main pancreatic duct into the pancreatic parenchyma. Immediately following ERCP, computed tomography (CT) scans revealed separate poolings of this contrast media in the pancreatic head and tail. Surgical debridement of the pancreatic head and tail was therefore performed, after which drains were placed at both sites. The patient recovered successfully. To own knowledge, this is the first reported case in which pancreatic abscesses, a late complication of acute pancreatitis, were clearly identified by the use of ERCP followed by CT.     

A case of successful treatment with transcatheter arterial embolization for a ruptured aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery presenting with a hemosuccus pancreaticus]

A 55-year-old male heavy drinker was taken to another hospital because of loss of consciousness. Laboratory data showed anemia and endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract disclosed intraduodenal bleeding from the ampulla of Vater. Further examinations were scheduled. However, three days later, he was given emergency admission to our hospital because of massive rectal bleeding and circulatory shock. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed a pseudoaneurysm in a pseudocyst in the head of the pancreas. Emergency angiography revealed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery 15 mm in diameter. He was successfully treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. ERCP demonstrated the pseudocyst communicating from the main pancreatic duct in the pancreatic head. The final diagnosis was ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery into a pseudocyst, presenting with hemosuccus pancreaticus, secondary to chronic pancreatitis.     

Laparoscopic Pancreatic Biopsy in Autoimmune Pancreatitis—Report of TWO Cases

Two cases of autoimmune pancreatitis that were diagnosed by laparoscopic pancreatic biopsy are reported. Patient 1 was a 71–year-old woman with obstructive jaundice and dry eyes. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed stenosis of the distal common bile duct and proximal main pancreatic duct. Only the head of the pancreas was enlarged. The patient had associated Sjogren's syndrome and sclerosing cholangitis. Patient 2 was a 65–year-old man with obstructive jaundice that occurred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ERCP revealed a diffusely irregular and narrowed pancreatic duct and stenosis of the distal common bile duct. The whole pancreas was enlarged. Both patients underwent laparoscopic pancreatic biopsy to rule out pancreatic cancer. The definitive diagnosis in each case was autoimmune pancreatitis. The postoperative course in both cases was uneventful. Both patients recovered quickly with steroid therapy undertaken soon after the biopsy. In summary, a laparoscopic approach for the pancreatic biopsy in autoimmune pancreatitis appears to be feasible and useful in determining the therapeutic strategy. (Dig Endosc 1999; 11: 250–254)     

Does a pancreatic duct stent prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? A prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most frequent complication of ERCP. Injury to the papilla during ERCP could obstruct pancreatic duct outflow and initiate pancreatitis. A randomized prospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of pancreatic duct stent placement on the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis in a selected group of patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of patients over 18 years of age at high risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis because of a difficult cannulation, sphincter of Oddi manometry, and/or the performance of endoscopic sphincterotomy. Patients were prospectively randomized to have a pancreatic duct stent placed or no stent upon completion of the ERCP. The endoprosthesis used was either a 5F nasopancreatic catheter or 5F, 2-cm long pancreatic stent. Study endpoints were the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. RESULTS: Patients undergoing pancreatic duct stent placement had a lower frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis as compared with those in the control group (28% vs. 5%; p < 0.05). Pancreatitis tended to be less severe in patients who had pancreatic duct drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic duct stent insertion after ERCP reduces the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients at high risk for this complication.     

Diameter of the main pancreatic duct in chronic calcifying pancreatitis. Measurement by ultrasonography versus pancreatography

The aim of this study was to compare the diameter of the main pancreatic duct measured by ultrasonography (US) and endoscopic pancreatography (ERCP) in cases of chronic pancreatitis and to evaluate the ability of US to gauge the dilation of the main duct accurately enough to do a side-to-side wirsungo-jejunostomy. Sixty-one measurements were recorded in 50 patients (47 men and 3 women; age: 43.7 +/- 10 years). In 11 cases, two measurements were made at an interval of more than one year. US always preceded ERCP. The measurements were compared in only 43 cases (71%), because evaluation by US was inaccurate in 14 cases (23%) and by ERCP in nine cases (15%). The mean value of the diameter measured by US was 4.30 +/- 3.01 mm, and by ERCP, 5.52 +/- 3.08 mm (mean +/- SD). When the diameter assessed by US (y) was greater than or equal to 3 mm, the diameter assessed by ERCP (x) was always greater than or equal to 4 mm. The value of x could be determined from y by the equation: x = y + 1.2 mm (r = 0.91, p less than 0.05) The difference between x and y was constant and did not depend on the size of the duct. It could be owing to the hyperechogenicity of the duct walls. We conclude that US is a reliable way to assess the dilation of the main pancreatic duct and might be an acceptable method of judging whether a side-to-side wirsungo-jejunostomy can be performed.     

丝留置切割法在慢性胰腺炎胰管困难性 插管中的价值初探

目的 评价导丝留置切割法对困难性胰管狭窄再扩张的安全性及有效性。方法 收集2017年11月—2019年4月期间在南京鼓楼医院消化内科行经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ERCP) 胰管支架置入失败,狭窄胰管仅能允许导丝通过并留置导丝的慢性胰腺炎患者资料,探讨导丝留置切割对于困难性胰管狭窄的扩张作用,分析导丝留置时间、再次ERCP胰管支架置入成功率、术后淀粉酶水平、导丝留置近期并发症及随访结果。结果 共计5例患者ERCP术中胰管狭窄扩张失败后留置导丝,平均留置导丝2.4 d后,再次行ERCP,胰管狭窄部位均可成功扩张,并置入胰管支架。并发症发生方面,仅有1例患者首次ERCP术后发生急性胰腺炎,经过对症治疗好转。结论 导丝留置切割是一种简单、安全、有效的胰管狭窄扩张新方法,对处理慢性胰腺炎胰管困难性插管具有重要的临床价值。     

Early endoscopic cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy in acute biliary pancreatitis: report of 50 cases.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was successfully performed in 49/50 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis and suspected biliary aetiology in the early phases of the disease (24-72 hours from admission). ERCP showed common bile duct lithiasis and/or stenosis (25 cholecystectomized patients) in 41/49 cases (83.7%). In 38 patients endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was performed: stone removal was possible in lithiasic patients (36 cases, 13 previously cholecystectomized); 3 further patients showed a main pancreatic duct stenosis (2 of these underwent pancreatic ES). The patients treated with ES showed a quick improvement in symptomatology and clinical outcome; no adverse effect of ERCP was found; no mortality was registered. Comparison with a previous series of 130 cases of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) showed a reduction in mortality, complications and length of hospitalization. These findings suggest that, from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view, early ERCP is safe and useful in ABP.     

Intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst: A case report

An intrasplenic psudocyst associated with the acute relapsing phase of chronic pancreatitis in a 51-year-old woman is reported, with a review of the Japanese literature. The patient was admitted with a complaint of left lateral and back pain. Abdominal US and CT revealed communicating cysts at the pancreatic tail and the subcapsule of the spleen. A repeat US and CT 1 month after admission demonstrated enlargement of the cyst at the pancreatic tail. ERCP revealed a dilated main pancreatic duct without any definite evidence of stenosis, and direct communication with the cyst at the pancreatic tail. Percutaneous cystography revealed that the subcapsular cyst of the spleen, the cyst of the pancreatic tail, and the main pancreatic duct communicated with each other. The cyst contained serous fluid with an amylase content of 57,500 IU/I. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed. Histologically, there was a nonepithelial lining on the inner surface of the cysts at the pancreatic tail and the subcapsule of the spleen. Severe chronic inflammatory changes were present in the resected tail of the pancreas. Timely surgical treatment is advocated to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with complications of intrasplenic pseudocysts.     

Sclerosing pancreatitis showing rapidly progressive changes with recurrent mass formation

Summary Conclusion Sclerosing pancreatitis might develop repeatedly or might rapidly extend to the whole pancreas with recurrent mass formation. Background Nothing is known concerning course or development of sclerosing pancreatitis. Methods A 63-yr-old male was followed up for 2.5 yr. Results The patient was admitted because of a tumor in the body and tail of the pancreas. Serum pancreatic enzymes were transiently elevated, but tumor markers were all negative. Imaging studies showed a tumor 7 cm in size. The main pancreatic duct was normal in the head and obstructed at the body on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERCP). The K-ras oncogene mutation was positive in pure pancreatic juice. Distal pancreatectomy was performed because pancreatic cancer was highly suspected. Pathological findings showed that the tumor was a densely fibrotic mass without malignant cells. Inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the stroma. One year later, another mass 3 cm in size was noted in the remnant pancreatic head. ERCP revealed diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, its branches, and the common bile duct. Liver dysfunction improved and an elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes subsided without any specific treatment, and the mass diminished in size. The patterns of various imaging studies on the second tumor were the same as those of the previous resected mass. Corticosteroid was not administered.     

ERCP在不明原因复发性急性胰腺炎诊治中的作用

目的探讨ERCP在不明原因复发性急性胰腺炎(RAP)诊治中的作用。方法收集15例不明原因RAP患者。其中男5例,女10例,年龄25～65岁,中位年龄38岁,病程1～2年,发病次数2～5次。10例在急性发作期,5例在发作间期行ERCP诊治。结果15例患者经ERCP明确病因者6例(3例胆管微结石,1例胆总管末端小囊肿,1例胰管小结石,1例胰管蛋白栓子),可疑病因者6例(乳头旁憩室2例,十二指肠乳头炎4例),未明确病因者3例。根据ERCP检查结果,9例行乳头括约肌切开术(EST),6例行胰管括约肌切开术。术后随访2年,15例患者均未复发胰腺炎。ERCP和EST术后2例出现一过性高淀粉酶血症,无其他并发症。结论ERCP对不明原因RAP有明确病因和指导治疗的作用。     

Intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst: a case report.

An intrasplenic pseudocyst associated with the acute relapsing phase of chronic pancreatitis in a 51-year-old woman is reported, with a review of the Japanese literature. The patient was admitted with a complaint of left lateral and back pain. Abdominal US and CT revealed communicating cysts at the pancreatic tail and the subcapsule of the spleen. A repeat US and CT 1 month after admission demonstrated enlargement of the cyst at the pancreatic tail. ERCP revealed a dilated main pancreatic duct without any definite evidence of stenosis, and direct communication with the cyst at the pancreatic tail. Percutaneous cystography revealed that the subcapsular cyst of the spleen, the cyst of the pancreatic tail, and the main pancreatic duct communicated with each other. The cyst contained serous fluid with an amylase content of 57,500 IU/I. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed. Histologically, there was a nonepithelial lining on the inner surface of the cysts at the pancreatic tail and the subcapsule of the spleen. Severe chronic inflammatory changes were present in the resected tail of the pancreas. Timely surgical treatment is advocated to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with complications of intrasplenic pseudocysts.     

AUTOIMMUNE PANCREATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease in Western countries, but such cases are rare in Japan. Here, we report a Japanese case of AIP with ulcerative colitis. A 34‐year‐old Japanese man was admitted to the Hospital of Shiga University of Medical Science with severe back pain. He received total colectomy due to a severe attack of ulcerative colitis 16 months before. Laboratory studies on admission indicated elevation of serum amylase and lipase levels. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgG4 levels were within normal range, and antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor were negative. Ultrasonography and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a diffuse swelling of the pancreas with main pancreatic duct dilatation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated segmental narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in the pancreatic head with distal dilatation. Aspiration and brushing cytology revealed no malignancy. No abnormal finding was observed in the common bile duct. He was diagnosed with AIP and treated with 30 mg predonisolone daily. After predonisolone therapy, back pain rapidly disappeared, and serum elevation of pancreatic enzymes returned to normal range. This case is an unusual type of AIP in Japan.     

青少年慢性胰腺炎的内镜诊断与治疗

目的：研究诊断性和治疗性经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)在青少年慢性胰腺炎(CP)诊断及治疗中的价值。方法：回顾分析1997年2月～2002年2月间确诊为青少年CP并行ERCP的13例临床资料。结果：13例中12例存在腹痛症状，10例有“胰腺炎”病史。ERCP见胰管扩张12例，胰管结石7例，胰腺假性囊肿2例，胰腺分裂症3例，胆囊结石l例。内镜下治疗：乳头括约肌切开术7例，胰管取石6例，支架置入5例，胰管狭窄扩张术4例，副乳头切开2例。ERCP后高淀粉酶血症4例，胰腺炎急性发作3例，均为水肿型胰腺炎。经6—68个月随访，ll例未复发，2例复发者经再次ER-CP治疗后腹痛未再出现。结论：ERCP对青少年CP的诊断及治疗有较高的价值。但青少年CP患者ERCP术后具有较高的并发症发生率，对此内镜医师应高度重视。     

Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis

CONTEXT: Autoimmune pancreatitis is sometimes associated with other autoimmune diseases. We have presented two cases of autoimmune pancreatitis with retroperitoneal fibrosis and compared our findings with those found in the literature. CASE 1: A 71-year-old male developed anorexia and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse swelling of the pancreas and the peritoneal soft tissue surrounding the aorta, associated with right hydronephrosis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. He was diagnosed as having autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis and underwent steroid therapy. After 3 weeks, a follow-up CT showed a marked reduction in the size of both the pancreas and retroperitoneal mass. CASE 2: A 62-year-old male was admitted to another hospital complaining of obstructive jaundice. Abdominal CT and US showed swelling of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated stenosis of the lower bile duct and narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. With the diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma, a choledochojejunostomy and a gastrojejunostomy were performed. Histological examination of the biopsy of the pancreatic mass revealed marked fibrosis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. One year later, a retroperitoneal mass was detected on follow-up CT. He was treated with prednisolone for two years. Recurrence of retroperitoneal mass with left hydronephrosis occurred 18 months later. There was no sign of recurrence of the autoimmune pancreatitis. He was again treated with prednisolone, and the retroperitoneal mass was gradually reduced. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 7 cases including the present cases have been reported. All were middle-aged males. Steroid therapy was effective for both the pancreatic and the retroperitoneal masses.     

A Clinical Study of Acute Pancreatitis following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Abstract: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been established as a safe and effective examination for patients with pancreatobiliary diseases. Pancreatitis following ERCP is an extremely rare complication. However, once pancreatitis occurs, patients may deteriorate developing a severe condition. This study was designed to investigate the cause of this pancreatitis with the aim of minimizing complications. Six hundred and forty-nine patients underwent ERCP in our clinic, from January 1990 to December 1994. Six patients developed acute pancreatitis following the examination. Amounts of contrast medium used, examination durations, pancreatic duct diameters, the existence of chronic pancreatitis, the presence of para-papillary diverticulum, and the use of a brushing procedure on the pancreatic duct are discussed in this study. There was no significant difference in the amount of contrast medium used, examination duration or pancreatic duct diameter. Chronic pancreatitis was not related to the occurrence of acute pancreatitis following ERCP (p = 0.1352). The presence of para-papillary diverticulum was associated with a tendency to develop pancreatitis (p=0.0989). Use of the brushing procedure correlated significantly with the occurrence of acute pancreatitis (p= 0.0081). This technique is one of the most important methods of diagnosing pancreatic malignancy, and should be done with great care in examining cases of suspected malignancy.     

ERCP术后胰腺炎相关危险因素探讨

目的 探讨与操作有关的危险因素（胰管显影、插管困难、乳头括约肌切开）与ERCP术后高淀粉酶血症和胰腺炎的关系。方法 对42例乳头括约肌切开（EST）、16例插管困难、48例胰管显影的患者术后淀粉酶动态变化与高淀粉酶血症和胰腺炎的关系进行评价。结果 插管困难者行EST术后高淀粉酶血症和胰腺炎的发生率明显升高，与诊断性ERCP比较，差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。插管容易的患者行EST术后高淀粉酶血症和胰腺炎的发生率与诊断性ERCP比较，无明显差别（P〉0．05）。胰管显影的患者术后高淀粉酶血症和胰腺炎的发生率明显高于无胰管显影的患者（P〈0．05）。结论 胰管显影、插管困难是ERCP术后胰腺炎的危险因素，而乳头括约肌切开不是ERCP术后胰腺炎的危险因素。     

Prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis by epinephrine sprayed on the papilla

Background and Aim: Epinephrine sprayed on the papilla may reduce papillary edema and prevent acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of localized irrigation with epinephrine saline for prevention of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: A total of 941 patients who were scheduled for ERCP were recruited into this study. We randomized the patients to have 20 mL of either 0.02% epinephrine or saline sprayed on the papilla after diagnostic ERCP to prevent post‐ERCP pancreatitis. We recorded duct visualization, presence of pancreatic acinarization, number of injections into the pancreatic duct, total volume of contrast used, and procedure duration. The serum amylase levels were measured at 6, 24 and 48 h after ERCP. We counted the patients of PEPs and compared whether there was significant difference between the pancreatitis group and the no pancreatitis group. Results: A univariate analysis of the explanatory variables between the epinephrine and control groups, the pancreatitis and no pancreatitis groups revealed the treatment to be effective, but most of the groups were not statistically significant. PEPs occurred in 40 of the 941 patients (4.25%), the incidence of pancreatitis tended to be higher in the control group (31/480, 6.45%) than in the epinephrine group (9/461, 1.95%) (P = 0.0086). Conclusions: Epinephrine sprayed on the papilla may be effective to prevent PEP. Female patients (aged ≥ 18 years and < 35 years) (7/40, 17.5%), common bile duct diameter < 10 mm (27/40, 67.5%), previous cholangitis (3/40, 7.5%), body mass index ≥ 24 (22/40, 55%), and/or serum triglycerides ≥ 5.65 mmol/L (6/40, 15%), might be risk factors for post‐ERCP pancreatitis, but are not statistically significant in the study.     

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PROPHYLACTIC PANCREATIC DUCT STENT (PIT‐STENT) PLACEMENT IN PATIENTS AT HIGH RISK OF POST‐ERCP PANCREATITIS

Background: The usefulness of prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for preventing post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis has been reported. We developed a new pancreatic duct stent, which was a 5 Fr, 4 cm‐long stent with a single duodenal pigtail (Pit‐stent). Patients and Methods: Pancreatic duct stenting using a Pit‐stent was attempted in 76 patients (40 men, 36 women; mean age, 65 years; age range, 42–91 years) at high risk of post‐ERCP pancreatitis. The frequency of post‐ERCP pancreatitis and spontaneous passage of the stent were investigated. Results: Pancreatic duct stent placement was successfully performed in 93% of the patients. One patient developed mild pancreatitis after ERCP (1.4%). Spontaneous passage of the stent was observed in 92%. There were no other complications or procedure‐related deaths in this group. Conclusions: Pancreatic duct stent insertion may reduce the incidence of post‐ERCP pancreatitis in patients at high risk of post‐ERCP pancreatitis. Spontaneous migration of a pancreatic stent that contributes to a lessening of the need for additional ERCP can be expected with the use of a Pit‐stent.