Pancreatic calculus impacted at Ampulla of Vater causing severe cholangitis and septic shock.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis may have varied complications including common bile duct stenosis, cholangitis, pseudocyst or fistula formation and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Common bile duct obstruction due to disimpaction of a pancreatic calculus into the ampulla of Vater leading to severe cholangitis and septic shock is a rare phenomenon. We are reporting such a case here.     

Air in the main pancreatic duct: A case of innocent air

Air in the main pancreatic duct has been reported only rarely and might be associated with either a spontaneous or a surgically induced alteration of the anatomy of the biliary tract. We report a case of “innocent” air found incidentally in the main pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this is only the third such case reported. A 54-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis that had lasted for 3 d. She underwent a chest computed tomography scan, which revealed not only focal bronchiectasis in the left lower lobe, but also air in the main pancreatic duct and dilatation of the common bile duct. She was managed conservatively for the hemoptysis and no further problems developed. She had no specific gastrointestinal symptoms and had no history of surgery or medication. Her laboratory parameters were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography also demonstrated air in the main pancreatic duct and a dilated common bile duct (CBD). Duodenoscopy revealed separate biliary and pancreatic orifices with patulous openings and some air bubbles appearing in the pancreatic orifice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed the dilated CBD and pancreatic duct with some air bubbles, but no other abnormal lesions. She was discharged with no further problems. Most patients with air in the main pancreatic duct have had a pancreatobiliary disease, or a history of pancreatobiliary disease, pancreatobiliary surgery or sphincterotomy. If the air is innocent, as in our case, ERCP should be performed to evaluate any altered sphincteric function or anatomy such as patulous openings.     

Groove pancreatitis: a rare segmental form of chronic pancreatitis

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of segmental chronic pancreatitis which is localized within the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the common bile duct. Symptoms are due to common bile duct stenosis or duodenal stenosis. Radiologically, there is a pancreatic mass, which hinders differential diagnosis with pancreatic carcinoma. We report here a case of groove pancreatitis observed in a 41-year-old man treated by pancreatoduodenectomy. Histological features of the groove scar were noted. Our case and cases reported in the literature lead to hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis and clinical, biological, and radiological features suggestive of the diagnosis.     

Biloma： An unusual complication in a patient with pancreatic cancer

The term biloma describes an encapsulated collection of bile within the abdomen, usually secondary to bile duct disruption. The commonest causes reported in the literature are iatrogenic (secondary to hepatobiliary surgery), trauma or complications due to choledocholithiasis. A few cases have been reported as complications of cholangiocarcinoma or acute cholecystitis. We report the case of a 64-year-old man initially diagnosed with a non-obstructive malignancy of the pancreas, who developed a spontaneous intrahepatic biloma 8 mo later. This was identified following a 1-wk history of fever, rigors and icterus. The biloma was identified on computed tomography and subsequently drained under ultrasound guidance. Forty-eight hours later, a stent was inserted endoscopically into his common bile duct and he made an uneventful in-hospital recovery. We believe this is the first documented case of spontaneous intrahepatic biloma to occur secondary to pancreatic malignancy.     

Biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by a pancreatic pseudocyst

We encountered a very rare case of biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by pancreatic pseudocyst. A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, and portal vein thrombosis due to acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed a 7-cm-diameter pseudocyst around the superior mesenteric vein extending towards the pancreatic head, dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, and portal vein thrombosis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed a main pancreatic duct with a pseudocyst communicating with the common bile duct. After pancreatic sphincterotomy, a 7-F tube stent was endoscopically placed into the pseudocyst. However, a 6-F nasobiliary tube could not be inserted into the bile duct because the fistula had a tight stenosis. Subsequently, the patient’s abdominal pain improved, the pancreatic cyst disappeared, and the serum amylase level normalized. Two months after the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was required because the patient’s jaundice became aggravated. Two weeks after the choledochojejunostomy, the patient left the hospital in good condition. A follow-up computed tomography showed cavernous transformation of the portal vein and no pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient remains asymptomatic for 2 years and 7 months after surgery. Biliary drainage may be necessary for biliopancreatic fistula with obstructive jaundice in addition to pancreatic cyst drainage. Biliopancreatic fistula can be treated by endoscopic procedure in some cases; however, surgical treatment should be required in cases that are impossible to insert a biliary stent because of hard stricture.     

Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with a large pancreatic pseudocyst that disappeared after corticosteroid therapy: a case report and literature review

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of upper abdominal pain. The serum IgG4 concentration was elevated, and abdominal computed tomography revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas associated with a large cyst, measuring 8 cm in diameter. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (from the body to the tail), narrowing of the intrapancreatic bile duct, and dilatation of the bile ducts. The patient was given a diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst and intrapancreatic bile duct stenosis. Oral steroid therapy resulted in reduced pancreatic swelling, complete disappearance of the pancreatic cyst, and an improvement in biliary stenosis. AIP is rarely associated with pancreatic cyst, and only 13 cases, including ours, have been reported to date. In our patient, intense inflammation apparently led to cyst formation in association with AIP, which responded remarkably to corticosteroid therapy. Correct diagnosis of AIP associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst might save patients from undergoing unnecessary endoscopic and surgical procedures.     

Recurrence of inflammatory pseudotumor in the distal bile duct： Lessons learned from a single case and reported cases

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) or inflammatory pseudotumors (IPs) have been extensively discussed in the literature. They are usually found in the lung and upper respiratory tract. However, reporting of cases involving the biliopancreatic region has increased over recent years. Immunohistochemical study of these lesions limited to the pancreatic head or distal bile duct seems to be compatible with those observed in a new entity called autoimmune pancreatitis, but usually intense fibrotic reaction (zonation) predominates producing a mass. When this condition is limited to the pancreatic head, the common bile duct might be involved by the inflammatory process and jaundice may occur often resembling adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. We have previously reported a case of IMT arising from the bile duct associated with autoimmune pancreatitis which is an extremely rare entity. Four years after Kaush-Whipple resection, radiological examination on routine follow-up revealed a tumor mass, suggesting local recurrence. Ultrasound-guided FNA confirmed our suspicious diagnosis. This present case, as others, suggests that persistent follow-up is necessary in order to prevent irreversible liver damage at this specific location.     

Double common bile duct： A case report

Double common bile duct （DCBD） is a rare congenital anomaly in which two common bile ducts exist. One usually has normal drainage into the papilla duodeni major and the other usually named accessory common bile duct （ACBD） opens in different parts of upper gastrointestinal tract （stomach, duodenum, ductus pancreaticus or septum）. This anomaly is of great importance since it is often associated with biliary lithiasis, choledochal cyst, anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction （APBJ） and upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies. We recently recognized a rare case of DCBD associated with APB3 with lithiasis in better developed common bile duct. The opening site of ACBD was in the pancreatic duct. The anomaly was suspected by transabdominal ultrasonography and finally confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） followed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction. According to the literature, the existence of DCBD with the opening of ACBD in the pancreatic duct is most frequently associated with APB3 and gallbladder carcinoma. In case of DCBD, the opening site of ACBD is of greatest clinical importance because of its close implications with concomitant pathology. The adequate diagnosis of this rare anomaly is significant since the operative complications may occur in cases with DCBD which is not recognized prior to surgical treatment.     

Aberrant Insertion of the Common Bile Duct into an Accessory Pancreatic Duct: Cholangiographic Demonstration

Variations in the pancreatic ductal anatomy result from abnormalities in embryological development of the pancreas from ventral and dorsal buds. We describe a case in which cholangiography demonstrated insertion of the common bile duct into an aberrant pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this finding has not been previously reported in the literature.     

A case of leiomyoma in the common bile duct]

Leiomyomas, originating in the bile duct, are very rare, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. We experienced a case of leiomyoma of the distal common bile duct, mimicking bile duct cancer. A 39-year-old woman presented with intermittent jaundice and general weakness for three months. Clinical profiles showed obstructive jaundice, and the abdominal computed tomography and cholangiography revealed diffuse bile duct dilatation with distal common bile duct stricture. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed and the pathologic specimen disclosed leiomyoma of the common bile duct accompanying severe fibrosis. This is the first case of leiomyoma in the bile duct reported in Korea.     

Schwannoma in the hepatoduodenal ligament: A case report and literature review

Schwannomas are mesenchymal neoplasms with low malignant potential that arise from Schwann cells. They can occur almost anywhere, although the most common locations are the head, neck and extremities. Primary benign schwannoma of the hepatoduodenal ligament is rare. To date, only three cases have been reported in the English literature. In the present study, we report a case of hepatoduodenal ligament schwannoma in a 43-year-old male, who was admitted to our hospital because of a abdominal mass found by physical examination. It was hard to determine the definitive location and diagnosis of the mass using ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. During laparotomy, the mass was found in the hepatoduodenal ligament and close to the cholecystic duct, so we resected the gallbladder and cholecystic duct along with the mass. The gross specimen revealed an 8.5 cm × 5.5 cm × 3.0 cm localized tumor. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor was mainly composed of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed a strong positive S-100 protein reaction. Finally, the lesion was diagnosed as a benign schwannoma in the hepatoduodenal ligament. However, one month later, the patient was readmitted to our hospital because of skin and sclera jaundice caused by common bile duct stenosis without common bile duct stone or tumor. The patient recovered well after implantation of a common bile duct stent under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. He was followed up for a period of 17 mo, during which he was well with no complications.     

Signet ring cell carcinoma of the lower bile duct with rapid growth: report of a case

Signet ring cell carcinoma occurring in the biliary tract is extremely rare. We herein report the case of a 78-year-old Japanese woman demonstrating signet ring cell carcinoma of the lower bile duct with a rapid growth. Computed tomography of the pancreas head pointed out a circular thickness in the lower bile ductal wall and stenosis of the common bile duct. Cholangiography revealed tapering stenosis at the lower bile duct. Biopsy specimens taken from these lesions and scratched specimens taken from stenotic portion of the lower bile duct were analyzed and demonstrated signet ring cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the lower bile duct reported in the English literature. Based on our experience, signet ring cell carcinoma of the lower bile duct is considered to demonstrate both transmural dispersion and an aggressive nature.     

Anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct union associated with bile duct carcinoma

An abnormal high union of the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct, without accompanying cystic dilatation of the bile ducts, is a rare occurrence. A case of obstructive jaundice due to bile duct carcinoma in connection with this anomaly is reported.     

Cardiac compromise due to a pancreatic mediastinal pseudocyst

Cardiac complications from a pancreatic mediastinal pseudocyst are rare. Pericardial effusions associated with pancreatitis have been reported only very occasionally. To the best of our knowledge, the direct extension of a pancreatic pseudocyst into the pericardial sac causing tamponade has not been described before. We present a case in which a pancreatic pseudocyst masquerading as a pericardial effusion dissected into the mediastinum, eroding into the pericardial sac and causing a life-threatening pericardial tamponade. A pericardial catheter was placed producing rapid symptomatic relief. Surgery was avoided by the use of octreotide as an adjuvant to ultrasound guided catheter drainage of the pseudocyst and it resolved completely within 4 weeks of admission to hospital. The importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis of this life-threatening complication is reiterated and the management of pancreatic mediastinal pseudocyst is discussed.     

Double duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy for bifid pancreatic duct

We report a pancreaticojejunostomy with double duct-to-mucosa anastomotic technique after pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis with bifid pancreatic duct. A 49-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed preoperatively as having chronic pancreatitis with common bile duct stricture and pseudocyst of the pancreatic head. In a pancreaticoduodenectomy, the main pancreatic duct (7mm in diameter) and a secondary pancreatic duct (4mm in diameter) were identified intraoperatively at the transected surface. Pancreatography showed the main pancreatic duct as well as thesecondary pancreatic duct that drained the remaining dorsal pancreas, allowing us to diagnose bifid pancreatic duct. The pancreaticojejunostomy was performed in an end-to-side manner to create double duct-to-mucosa anastomoses and to approximate the pancreatic parenchyma and jejunal seromuscular layers. Although bifid pancreatic duct is a rare anatomical anomaly, it behooves every surgeon who performs pancreatic resections to be aware of this entity and the techniques for dealing with it.     

Hemosuccus pancreaticus from a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery proper in a patient with a pancreatic pseudocyst.

Pseudoaneurysms of the visceral arteries due to pancreatitis, with subsequent rupture and hemorrhage into the pancreatic duct are unusual. To date, three cases of pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery with hemosuccus pancreaticus have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery proper, which ruptured into a pancreatic pseudocyst communicating with the pancreatic duct, and which was the cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This case was successfully managed by resection of both the pseudoaneurysm and the pancreatic pseudocyst.     

Subcapsular hepatic haematoma after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancrea-tography: An unusual case

Subcapsular hepatic haematoma is a rare complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancrea-tography (ERCP), and there are few reports about this unusual complication worldwide. The primary symptom of most cases reported in the literature is abdominal pain. We report an unusual case with the primary symptom of fever. A 56-year-old man who had a six-month history of recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain was diagnosed with a common bile duct stone by magnetic resonance cholangiopancrea-tography. Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy was performed, and stones from the common bile duct were successfully extracted with a basket. The patient had a persistent fever after ERCP, and treatment with intravenous antibiotics was unsuccessful. Computed tomography showed a 13 cm × 6 cm subcapsular hepatic haematoma filled with air and liquid on the surface of the right hepatic lobe. The patient was successfully treated with peritoneal drainage under B-ultra guidance. Subcapsular liver haematoma should be considered when hard-toexplain symptoms persist in the early period after ERCP. Percutaneous drainage is an effective treatment.     

Pancreatic pseudocyst with fistula to the common bile duct: radiological diagnosis and management.

A patient was found to have fistulization of a pancreatic pseudocyst with the common bile duct. Resolution of the pseudocyst and the attendant biliary obstruction was achieved with percutaneous biliary drainage alone. The clinical and radiological features of this case are herein presented along with a brief review of the subject.     

Mirizzi syndrome secondary to an adenoma of the cystic duct

Bile duct adenomas are uncommon lesions that can cause obstructive jaundice. We report the unusual case of a 54-year-old man who developed Mirizzi syndrome secondary to a bile duct papillary adenoma located in the cystic duct remnant. A case report is presented, together with a review of extrahepatic bile duct adenomas published in the English-language literature, with special attention directed toward the clinical manifestations, locations, and prognosis of these tumors. Bile duct adenomas are very rare tumors. Although cholangiography can detect many of these lesions, few cases were correctly diagnosed preoperatively. Most lesions were located in the distal common bile duct or at the ampulla of Vater. Pathologic examination often revealed foci of carcinoma in situ, dysplasia, or atypia. Local resection was performed in most cases. There were no previous case reports of extrinsic common bile duct obstruction caused by tumors within the cystic duct. We describe here a very rare, acalculous variant of Mirizzi syndrome secondary to a solitary papillary adenoma of the cystic duct. In general, bile duct adenomas are uncommon lesions that are difficult to diagnoses preoperatively. These tumors usually present with jaundice secondary to intraluminal biliary obstruction. These lesions are premalignant and should be managed by complete surgical resection.     

New cannulation method for pancreatic duct cannulation-bile duct guidewire-indwelling method

The patient was a 58-year-old male with symptomatic alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.Since a 10 mm calculus was observed in the pancreatic body and abdominal pain occurred due to congestion of pancreatic juice,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was conducted for assessment of the pancreatic duct and treatment of pancreatic calculus.Pancreatogram was slightly and insuff iciently obtained by injecting the contrast media via the common channel of the duodenal main papilla.We tried to cannulate selectively into the pancreatic duct for a clear image.However,the selective cannulation of the pancreatic duct was difficult because of instability of the papilla.On the other hand,selective cannulation of the bile duct was relatively easily achieved.Therefore,after the imaging of the bile duct,a guidewire was retained in the bile duct to immobilize the duodenal papilla and cannulation of the pancreatic duct was attempted.As a result,selective pancreatic duct cannulation became possible.It is considered that the bile duct guidewire-indwelling method may serve as one of the useful techniques for cases whose selective pancreatic duct cannulation is diff icult("selective pancreatic duct diff icult cannulation case").