Hemorrhagic pseudocyst and pseudocyst with pseudoaneurysm successfully treated by pancreatectomy: report of three cases

Hemorrhagic pseudoaneurysm of pancreatic pseudocyst is one of the serious complications of acute pancreatitis. We successfully treated three patients who had hemorrhagic pseudocyst and pseudocyst with pseudoaneurysm by pancreatectomy. Case 1 was 43-year-old Japanese man who had had several episodes of acute pancreatitis and was diagnosed with hemorrhagic pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery in a pseudocyst in the pancreatic tail, shown on computed tomography (CT) and angiography. Transarterial embolization (TAE) yielded hemostasis of the pseudoaneurysm, but rebleeding occurred 2 weeks after the TAE. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was successfully performed. Case 2 was a 64-year-old Japanese man who presented to us with several attacks of acute pancreatitis. Imagings showed bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the transverse pancreatic artery in a pseudocyst in the pancreatic body. Because of marked stenosis in the proximal portion of the transverse pancreatic artery, TAE was unsuccessful. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed successfully. Case 3 was a 40-year-old Japanese woman who had a history of abdominal trauma. Imagings showed bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery in a posttraumatic pseudocyst in the pancreas. TAE of the pseudoaneurysm was unsuccessful because of the proximity of the pseudoaneurysm and the splenic artery. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was successfully performed and her postoperative outcome was satisfactory. Whenever interventional radiology (IVR) is not indicated or has failed, aggressive and immediate surgical intervention should be considered for early and definitive recovery in these patients.     

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.     

Two cases of hemosuccus pancreaticus in which hemostasis was achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. We report two cases of hemosuccus pancreaticus in which hemostasis was achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The first patient was a 47-year-old man with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. He presented with upper abdominal pain and hematemesis. Upper GI endoscopy failed to detect the source of bleeding, but computed tomography (CT) showed a hypervascular area about 3?cm in diameter in a pseudocyst at the pancreatic tail. Angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the caudal pancreatic artery. Hematemesis was considered to be due to rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. TAE of the splenic artery was performed selectively, and this successfully stopped the bleeding. The second patient was a 52-year-old man with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. He presented with hematemesis. Upper GI endoscopy detected bleeding from the papilla of Vater. CT showed hemorrhage in a pseudocyst at the pancreatic body. Angiography revealed angiogenesis around the pseudocyst. Hematemesis was considered to result from rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. TAE of the dorsal pancreatic artery and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery was performed and hemostasis was achieved. We conclude that TAE is a minimally invasive and highly effective treatment for hemosuccus pancreaticus.     

Pancreatico-bronchial fistula with communication to a pseudoaneurysm of the arteria lienalis as a rare complication in chronic pancreatitis

Thoracic manifestations of internal pancreatic fistulas caused by chronic pancreatitis are rare conditions. The three main types of these manifestations are mediastinal pseudocysts, pancreatico pleural fistulas and pancreaticobronchial fistulas. We report on one patient with the clinical presentation of all three thoracic internal pancreatic fistulas with a communication to a pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery caused by chronic alcohol-related pancreatitis. Conservative therapy over four weeks was not successful. Resection of the pseudoaneurysm, debridement of the mediastinal pseudocyst and duodenum preserving resection of the pancreas treated all complications and prevents recurrence in this patient with chronic pancreatitis.     

Large duodenal hematoma associated with transcatheter arterial embolization following endoscopic hemostasis in a cirrhosis patient: case report

To date, there has been no report on duodenal intramural hematoma following transcatheter arterial embolization in bleeding duodenal ulcer refractory to endoscopic hemostasis. We experienced a case of obstructive cholangitis and pancreatitis secondary to duodenal intramural hematoma associated with transcatheter arterial embolization, following endoscopic hemostatic procedures for a bleeding duodenal ulcer in a patient with cirrhosis. The patient was successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. We suggest that transcatheter arterial embolization can be a cause of duodenal intramural hematoma, and that percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, rather than surgical intervention, can be useful in the treatment of biliary or pancreatic obstruction secondary to duodenal intramural hematoma, especially in patients with bleeding diathesis.     

Diagnostic evaluation and aggressive surgical approach in bleeding pseudoaneurysms associated with pancreatic pseudocysts

Hemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication of pancreatic pseudocysts. When gastrointestinal bleeding or intra-abdominal hemorrhage is associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst and the usual sources of bleeding are not detected by endoscopy, the rupture of a pseudoaneurysm inside the pseudocyst should be suspected. We present 13 cases, 11 associated with chronic and 2 with late complications after acute necrotizing pancreatitis. On the basis of sonographic findings, bleeding site was suspected in 8 of 11 patients (73%). Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 10, and bleeding was suspected in 8 (80%). The pseudoaneurysm itself was detected by CT in one and by ultrasonography in none. Visceral angiography was performed on five patients, and the pseudoaneurysm was evident in all. External drainage with arterial ligation was done as a primary operation in five patients; four of them later underwent pancreatic resection because of rebleeding. In eight cases pancreatic resection was the initial operation; none of these patients continued to bleed or needed reoperation because of the same pseudoaneurysm. There were no intraoperative deaths, but one patient died postoperatively. Aggressive diagnostic evaluation and surgical approach are associated with a reduction in mortality and morbidity in this serious complication of pancreatic pseudocysts.     

Transcatheter embolization of a giant pancreatic pseudoaneurysm: A tale of two bleeds and one thrombus!

Erosion of a peripancreatic artery into the pseudocyst as a result of enzymatic digestion of vessel wall gives rise to a pancreatic pseudoaneurysm (PSA), which is a rare complication seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis.¹ Angiographic embolization as a treatment method for acute hemorrhage from pancreatic PSA has become increasingly popular. Here we report a unique case with bleeding from a giant pancreatic PSA where the single PSA had blood supply originating from the branches of both the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery.     

Clinical features of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis: single center experience and review of Korean literature]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening complication of chronic or acute pancreatitis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical features of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 7 patients diagnosed as pseudoaneurysms with chronic pancreatitis in Korea University Guro and Anam Hospital from January 1995 to March 2006 and analyzed their demographics, clinical courses and outcomes. RESULTS: All patients were men and mean age was 54.6 years (range, 43-67 years). All the cases occurred in the setting of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst. Abdominal pain was the unique initial clinical symptom in 5 cases, hematemesis in 1 case, and simultaneous abdominal pain with hematemesis in 1 case. Bleeding into pseudocyst developed in 5 cases, flowing into duodenum through pancreatic duct in 1 case and rupture into the descending colon in 1 case. Mean duration between onset of symptom and diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm was 7.8 days (range, 1-23 days). Six cases were diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography disclosing characteristic finding of focal high density area in the pseudocyst. Pulsed doppler abdominal sonography was performed before computed tomography in 3 cases and results were negative in 2 cases. Transcatheter arterial embolizations were initially performed in 6 cases, and there was no recurrent bleeding except one case of splenic infarction. Distal pancreatectomy was initially performed in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoaneurysms complicating chronic pancreatitis shows various clinical features. Transcatheter arterial embolization can be recommended as a primary therapeutic modality.     

Uncomplicated spontaneous rupture of pancreatic pseudocyst into stomach: A case report

Pseudocysts of the pancreas are not rare, but spontaneous perforation and/or fistulization occurs in fewer than 3% of these pseudocysts. Perforation into the free peritoneal cavity, stomach, duodenum, colon, portal vein, pleural cavity and through the abdominal wall has been reported. Spontaneous rupture of the pancreatic pseudocyst into the surrounding hollow viscera is rare and, may be associated with life-threatening bleeding. Such cases require emergency surgical intervention. Uncomplicated rupture of pseudocyst is an even rarer occurrence. We present a case of spontaneous resolution of a pancreatic pseudocyst with gastric connection without bleeding. A 67-year-old women with a large pancreatic pseudocyst resulting from a complication of chronic pancreatitis was referred to our institution. During hospital stay, there was sudden decrease in the size of epigastric lump. Repeat computed tomography(CT) revealed that the size of the pseudocyst had decreased significantly; however, gas was observed in stomach and pseudocyst along with rent between lesser curvature of stomach and pseudocyst suggestive of spontaneous cystogastric fistula.The fistula tract occluded spontaneously and the patient recovered without any complication or need for surgical treatment. After 5 wk, follow up CT revealed complete resolution of pseudocyst. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed that the orifice was completely occluded with ulcer at the site of previous fistulous opening.     

Rupture of a bleeding pancreatic pseudocyst into the stomach

A bleeding pancreatic pseudocyst following pancreatitis is a severe complication that can lead to massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Rupture of such a pseudocyst into the stomach is rare. We report herein a case of rupture of a bleeding pseudocyst into the stomach in a patient who was successfully treated with emergency surgery. A 60‐year‐old Japanese man with a history of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis with a pancreatic tail pseudocyst was referred to us because of hematemesis. The cavity of the pseudocyst, which was 3–cm in size and whose wall adhered to the stomach, was enhanced by dynamic bolus computed tomography (CT) in the late arterial phase. Splenic angiography revealed a bleeding pseudocyst in the splenic hilum. Embolization of the pseudocyst failed, because of arterial spasm. A distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and total gastrectomy were performed. The wall of the pseudocyst consisted of the pancreatic tail, granulation tissue, and the posterior wall of the stomach. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. In the management of massive bleeding from a pseudocyst, early diagnosis with dynamic bolus CT and angiography is essential. A bleeding pseudocyst should be considered to be a lethal complication, but it can possibly be treated with a combination of angiographic embolization and surgery.     

Microcoils embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicated with chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is known to cause vascular complications including pseudoaneurysm of peripancreatic arteries that can lead to massive gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a 30-year-old man with splenic artery pseudoaneurysm formation secondary to chronic pancreatitis. The bleeding was successfully controlled by superselective microcoils embolization of the pseudoaneurysm with splenic preservation. The patient was discharged in 2 days with complete recovery. We consider superselective transcatheter embolization as one of the safest procedures and should be considered as a therapeutic option in the management of pseudoaneurysm caused by pancreatitis.     

Successful Transcatheter Embolization of Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Hemorrhage into a pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare event, but is the most rapidly lethal complication of chronic pancreatitis. Visceral-vessel aneurysms are an unexpectedly common finding in arteriography of patients with chronic pancreatitis. This case report describes bleeding from an anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm, caused by chronic pancreatitis. The aneurysm was successfully treated by embolization with a steel coil.     

Transcatheter arterial coil embolization of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms after hepatobiliary and pancreatic interventions

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Visceral and renal arteries pseudoaneurysms are uncommon but potentially lethal complications of hepatic and pancreatobiliary interventions. To evaluate the clinical outcome of transcatheter arterial coils embolotherapy, we reviewed our institution's experience with the management for bleeding pseudoaneurysms. METHODOLOGY: From January 1988 through December 2004, 20 patients were encountered who developed massive bleeding from pseudoaneurysms following hepatobiliary and pancreatic interventions. All patients underwent diagnostic angiography and transarterial embolization was carried out thereafter. RESULTS: Embolization was technically successful without major post-procedural complications in all patients. Bleeding was stopped after embolization in 17 patients (85%), and rebleeding did occur in one patient during the follow-up periods. Repeat coil embolotherapy was performed in one patient with recurrent bleeding, but they needed surgical intervention because of failed re-embolization. Another two patients needed surgical ligation and one of the patients died of sepsis two weeks later. CONCLUSIONS: An emergency angiography should be considered in all patients in whom pseudoaneurysm is suspected following hepatobiliary and pancreatic interventions. Transcatheter arterial coil embolization is a safe and effective treatment for pseudoaneurysm. Surgical intervention should be reserved for patients for whom embolization fails or for whom it is not possible.     

内镜下诊治伴发胰管结石慢性胰腺炎的价值

目的探讨ERCP在胰管结石诊断和治疗中的临床价值及其安全性评估。方法分析2008年2月～2008年10月期间共20例接受ERCP诊断和治疗的伴发胰腺结石慢性胰腺炎患者的临床资料。结果20例病例中,16例（80％）胰管结石位于胰头处,3例（15％）位于胰头及胰体处,1例（5％）累及全程胰管。14例（70％）患者一次性取石完全,5例患者术后接受体外震波碎石（ESWL）,1例患者未能完成取石,建议其外科手术治疗．18例表现为腹痛的病例,在接受内镜下治疗结石后,腹痛症状均消失,在接受治疗后2～10d内出院,平均（5．3±2．43）d。术后2例（10％）出现一过性的血淀粉酶升高。结论对于伴有胰管结石的慢性胰腺炎病例而青,内镜下取石是安全有效的方法,同时应川支架及鼻胰管引流,不仅对胰管结石的治疗有效,而且充分的胰液引流对于缓解腹痛症状、减少术后的胰腺炎、高淀粉酶m症的发乍有着重要的作用。     

Complicated systemic lupus erythematosus pancreatitis: pseudocyst, pseudoaneurysm, but real bleeding

We report the case of a 25-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pancreatitis which was complicated by pseudocyst and pseudoaneurysm formation. The pseudoaneurysm progressed to intra-abdominal bleeding requiring endovascular coil embolization of the gastroduodenal artery. The pseudocyst and hematoma formed two large abdominal fluid collections causing symptoms due to a mass effect. These fluid collections were treated conservatively, while active SLE was treated with steroids, azathioprine, and immunoglobulins. She finally made a full recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a bleeding pseudoaneurysm complicating SLE pancreatitis. Although anecdotal, this case may serve as a useful example of the possible complications of SLE pancreatitis, including considerations on optimal management.     

Management of Bleeding Gastric Varices in Patients with Sinistral Portal Hypertension

Background and Aim

Sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Besides splenectomy, there is no consensus on the role of sclerotherapy and splenic embolization for bleeding gastric varices (GVs). This retrospective study summarizes our experience in managing GV bleeding from SPH in patients with pancreatic diseases.

Methods

Patients with pancreatic diseases who had bleeding GVs from SPH in two tertiary hospitals were reviewed from January 2001 to December 2011. The etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were analyzed.

Results

Twenty-one patients (15.2 %) complicating bleeding GVs among 139 patients with SPH secondary to pancreatic diseases were enrolled. The etiologies were acute pancreatitis in one patient, chronic pancreatitis in seven patients, and pancreatic tumors in 13 patients. Emergent endoscopic sclerotherapy was initially performed in five patients, and succeeded in two patients, while one patient died of massive hemorrhage. Initial transcatheter artery embolization using Gianturco coils was successfully performed in six patients. Splenectomy combined with other surgical procedures was undertaken for 15 patients. The patients undergoing artery embolization or splencetomy achieved hemostasis. The survivors had no recurrent bleeding during a median 72-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

The incidence of bleeding GVs from SPH is relatively rare. Splenic artery embolization could be selected as a first-line choice for bleeding SPH, especially for patients in poor conditions, and sclerotherapy may not be preferentially recommended. Further studies are required to evaluate the optimum treatment algorithm for bleeding GVs from SPH.     

Pancreatic pseudocysts – when and how to treat?

Pancreatic pseudocysts are a well-known complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis, with a higher incidence in the latter. Currently several classification systems are in use that are based on the origin of the pseudocyst, their relation to pancreatic duct anatomy and a possible pseudocyst-duct communication. Diagnosis is accomplished most often by CT scanning, by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) or by ultrasound, and rapid progress in the improvement of diagnostic tools has enabled detection with high sensitivity and specificity. There are different therapeutic strategies: endoscopic transpapillary or transmural drainage, percutaneous catheter drainage, or open surgery. The feasibility of endoscopic drainage is highly dependent on the anatomy and topography of the pseudocyst, but provides high success and low complication rates. Percutaneous drainage is used for infected pseudocysts. However, its usefulness in chronic pancreatitis-associated pseudocysts is questionable. Internal drainage and pseudocyst resection are frequently used as surgical approaches with a good overall outcome, but a somewhat higher morbidity and mortality compared with endoscopic intervention. We therefore conclude that pseudocyst treatment in chronic pancreatitis can be effectively achieved by both endoscopic and surgical means.     

Pancreatic Pseudocysts

Opinion statement Pseudocysts complicate acute pancreatitis in less than 5% of cases and chronic pancreatitis in 20% to 40% of cases. A pseudocyst is a localized collection of pancreatic fluid surrounded by a wall of granulation tissue and collagen. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for a fluid collection to mature and become a true pseudocyst. Unlike other cystic lesions of the pancreas from which they should be differentiated, pseudocysts lack an epithelial layer. Patients with pseudocysts present with a range of symptoms and signs. Pseudocysts are imaged using transabdominal ultrasound, CT, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and MRI. EUS confers an advantage over other imaging modalities in that certain EUS features are suggestive of pseudocysts over other cystic lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS has improved further with the use of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration. Therapeutic options include watchful observation or intervention. In our opinion, if acute pseudocysts are uncomplicated, asymptomatic, and do not appear to be enlarging on serial imaging, it is preferable to withhold intervention because many of these cysts resolve spontaneously. However, one needs to beware of the possibility of complications such as infection in unresolved pseudocysts. Pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis are less likely to resolve spontaneously and are drained by intervention more frequently. Of the three interventional options, namely endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical drainage, endoscopic drainage should be the treatment of choice if certain criteria are met. Preinterventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is mandatory to define ductal anatomy. If there is communication between the pseudocyst and the pancreatic duct, a transpapillary approach is preferred. Use of EUS should increase the number of cases in which pseudocysts can be drained endoscopically. Surgery should be reserved for cases in which there is a concern about malignancy or when there is glandular disruption.     

Selective embolization for bleeding visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in patients with pancreatitis

BACKGROUND:Pancreatitis is associated with arterial complications in 4%-10%of patients,with untreated mortality approaching 90%.Timely intervention at a specialist center can reduce the mortality to 15%.We present a single institution experience of selective embolization as first line management of bleeding pseudoaneurysms in pancreatitis. METHODS:Sixteen patients with pancreatitis and visceral artery pseudoaneurysms were identified from searches of the records of interventional angiography from January 2000 to June 2007.True visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms arising as a result of post-operative pancreatic or biliary leak were excluded from the study. RESULTS:In 50%of the patients,bleeding complicated the initial presentation of pancreatitis.Alcohol was the offending agent in 10 patients,gallstones in 3,trauma,drug-induced and idiopathic pancreatitis in one each.All 16 patients had a contrast CT scan and 15 underwent coeliac axis angiography. The pseudoaneurysms ranging from 0.9 to 9.0 cm affected the splenic artery in 7 patients:hepatic in 3,gastroduodenal and right gastric in 2 each,and left gastric and pancreatico-duodenal in 1 each.One patient developed spontaneous thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm.Fourteen patients had effective coil embolization of the pseudoaneurysm.One patient needed surgical exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm following difficulty in accessing the coeliac axis radiologically.There were no episodes of re-bleeding and no in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Pseudoaneurysms are unrelated to the severity of pancreatitis and major hemorrhage can occur irrespective of their size.Co-existent portal hypertension and sepsis increase the risk of surgery.Angiography and selective coil embolization is a safe and effective way to arrest the hemorrhage.     

Disruption of both dorsal and ventral ducts in a patient with pancreas divisum presenting with two pseudocysts

A 35-year-old man, a chronic alcohol consumer with clinical features of acute pancreatitis, presented with obstructive jaundice and melena. On radiological evaluation two large pseudocysts, one each in relation to pancreatic head and tail regions, were noted with a gastro-duodenal artery pseudoaneurysm in the pseudocyst in the head region. He also had narrowing of the common bile duct. On endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) he had evidence of chronic pancreatitis with morphology of pancreas divisum with disruption of both the dorsal and ventral ducts. After the relieving of bile duct obstruction with endoscopically placed stent, he underwent surgery for the pseudoaneurysm and the two pseudocysts. The case highlights the rare occurrence of both dorsal and ventral ductal disruption in a patient with pancreas divisum. ERCP was helpful in providing the diagnosis and guiding further management.