Recurrent Pancreatitis Caused by a Calcified Ascaris in the Duct of Wirsung

A case report of recurrent pancreatitis in a 20-yr-old woman due to an impacted calcified Ascaris remnant within the duct of Wirsung is presented. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography identified a filling defect in the proximal main pancreatic duct. Transampullary endoscopic retrieval failed to extract the calculus and operative intervention was required to remove the calcified worm remnant.     

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis

Opinion statement  

Recurrent and Relapsing Pancreatitis

Recurrent acute pancreatitis is a common clinical problem. Most cases of pancreatitis are identified by a careful history and physical examination. Despite advanced evaluation, the cause is not apparent in about 10% of cases. The etiology of recurrent acute pancreatitis appears to be multifactorial, with genetic and environmental influences playing a significant role. The strength of evidence for certain etiologies is highly variable, and natural history data are limited. Controversy exists regarding the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Recurrent acute pancreatitis often represents a continuum with chronic pancreatitis.     

Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Severe Legionella pneumophila Infection

Summary We report three cases of severe community-acquired Legionella pneumophila with acute pancreatitis. Pancreas involvement is unusual. The clinical presentations consisted of painless pancreatitis with only elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes (case 1), tender abdomen with edematous pancreas on computed tomography scan (case 2) and necrosis (case 3). We discuss the possible mechanisms of L. pneumophila associated acute pancreatitis for which the pathophysiology is still undertermined: infection, toxin release or cytokine secretion. Received: February 11, 2000 · Revision accepted: July 24, 2000     

A Case of Recurrent Pancreatitis Induced by Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Re-Exposure

A 32-year-old man presented with epigastric pain. He had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis of undetermined cause 2 years earlier. The patient had taken trimethoprim (80 mg) and sulfamethoxazole (400 mg) twice daily because of acute urethritis 3 days prior to admission. No definite cause of acute pancreatitis could be identified on baseline studies. A thorough history-taking revealed that the patient had an episode of acute pancreatitis while taking trimethoprim (80 mg) and sulfamethoxazole (400 mg) twice daily for 2 weeks for prostatitis prior to the previous admission. Therefore, a cause-and-effect relationship between trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and repeated episodes of pancreatitis was highly suggested. The patient was presumably diagnosed as TMP-SMX-induced pancreatitis. The final diagnosis was TMP-SMX-induced pancreatitis. Since drugs are rare causes of acute pancreatitis and the diagnosis of drug-induced pancreatitis is difficult to establish, we report this interesting case along with a review of medical literature.     

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Caused by Alcoholic Pancreatitis and Starvation Ketosis

Starvation ketosis and pancreatitis are uncommon and underrecognized etiologies of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Euglycemic DKA is associated commonly with pregnancy, use of insulin en route to the hospital, and use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. A 58-year-old male with past medical history of type II diabetes mellitus and alcoholism presented with chief complaint of nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake for several weeks. Despite extensive history of diabetes and no recent SGLT-2 inhibitor use, his labs were consistent with euglycemic DKA. His imaging and clinical history also confirmed alcoholic pancreatitis. The patient was admitted for euglycemic DKA secondary to starvation ketosis and alcoholic pancreatitis. His anion gap and beta-hydroxybutyrate rapidly cleared with initiation of the DKA protocol. This case teaches us that clinicians should consider early initiation of the DKA protocol even in the setting of euglycemia, when a patient presents with high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis, a high beta-hydroxybutyrate level, and a clinical picture of pancreatitis and starvationKEY WORDS: euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, starvation ketosis     

急性复发性胰腺炎的病因及其诊断

近年我国急性胰腺炎（AP）的发病率呈上升趋势,急性复发性胰腺炎（ARP）是AP的特殊临床类型,其确切病因尚不清楚,相关研究报道还较少。ARP更易进展为重症AP,目前对ARP的病因及其诊断尚缺乏共识。本文就此作一综述,以期提高临床医师对本病的重视。     

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Pancreas Divisum

Described is the case of a 24-yr-old patient in whom recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis following a cholecystectomy were found to be associated with anomaly of the pancreas--the so-called pancreas divisum. An examination by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed typical findings of a short duct of Wirsung. Cannulation of the secondary duct of Santorini revealed a grossly dilated and strictured duct full of stones. After drainage of the duct by a pancreaticojejunostomy (Puestow procedure), the patient has not had any further episodes of acute pancreatitis during a follow-up period of 4 yr.