A puzzling presentation of pancreatitis

Hiatal Hernia with Prolapse of the Pancreas Causing Bile Duct Stricture and Liver Function Disorders: A Case Report and Literature Review

Hiatal hernia is a common condition in elderly patients, but the additional presence of prolapse of the pancreas is extremely rare. We herein report an 89-year-old woman who presented with liver function disorders and abdominal pain. Her laboratory tests revealed cholestasis, and imaging examinations showed stenosis of the common bile duct pulled toward the hernia sac. She was diagnosed with a common bile duct stricture due to pancreatic herniation and underwent laparoscopic surgery. Our review of the literature identified three types of pancreatic herniations: asymptomatic, bile duct complication, and acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic head herniation tends to induce bile duct complications.

The uncommon diagnosis of hiatal hernia associated pancreatitis: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Hiatal hernia (HH) contents commonly include stomach, transverse colon, small intestine, and spleen but herniation of the pancreas is an extremely rare phenomenon, even rarer when HH is associated with acute pancreatitis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56-year-old female with hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and chest discomfort evolving for 24 h. Physical examination revealed left-upper quadrant tenderness without guarding. Blood tests showed elevated serum amylase and lipase levels. An abdominal CT scan demonstrated a large type-IV hiatal hernia involving the entire stomach, transverse and right colon, small intestine, duodenum as well as the head, body and the tail of pancreas. The pancreas was enlarged consistent with pancreatitis. Patient clinical status improved with conservative treatment.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The stomach is the most common organ to herniate through the diaphragm and pancreatic herniation is extremely rare with only few cases in the literature. Even rarer when associated with acute pancreatitis. This diagnosis is a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge that has to be evoked in elderly presenting with chest pain and a negative cardiopulmonary evaluation. The ideal treatment is still unclear, however, conservative treatment is the initial management and surgery may be considered in case of recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

HH associated with acute pancreatitis is a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Clinicians should consider this rare diagnosis in every case of chest pain with negative cardiopulmonary evaluation.

Pancreatitis aguda necrosante secundaria a hernia de hiato grado IV complicada: Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura

Introducción. En las hernias paraesofágicas tipo IV se produce la herniación del estómago junto a otros órganos abdominales. La herniación del páncreas es muy infrecuente. Caso clínico. Varón de 57 años que acude por dolor torácico, disnea e intolerancia al decúbito. En la tomografía computarizada toracoabdominal se observa hernia diafragmática que contiene colon transverso, intestino delgado y páncreas, con reticulación de la grasa alrededor del mismo, compatible con pancreatitis aguda. Conclusión. La asociación de hernia hiatal con páncreas herniado y pancreatitis es extremadamente infrecuente. El diagnóstico se estableció mediante tomografía computarizada y el tratamiento fue conservador, con cirugía diferida de la hernia de hiato.

Massive hiatal hernia involving prolapse of the entire stomach and pancreas resulting in pancreatitis and bile duct dilatation: a case report

Background

Hiatal hernia is defined by the permanent or intermittent prolapse of any abdominal structure into the chest through the diaphragmatic esophageal hiatus. Prolapse of the stomach, intestine, transverse colon, and spleen is relatively common, but herniation of the pancreas is a rare condition. We describe a case of acute pancreatitis and bile duct dilatation secondary to a massive hiatal hernia of pancreatic body and tail.

Case presentation

An 86-year-old woman with hiatal hernia who complained of epigastric pain and vomiting was admitted to our hospital. Blood tests revealed a hyperamylasemia and abnormal liver function test. Computed tomography revealed prolapse of the massive hiatal hernia, containing the stomach and pancreatic body and tail, with peripancreatic fluid in the posterior mediastinal space as a sequel to pancreatitis. In addition, intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were seen to be dilated and deformed. After conservative treatment for pancreatitis, an elective operation was performed. There was a strong adhesion between the hernial sac and the right diaphragmatic crus. After the stomach and pancreas were pulled into the abdominal cavity, the hiatal orifice was closed by silk thread sutures (primary repair), and the mesh was fixed in front of the hernial orifice. Toupet fundoplication and intraoperative endoscopy were performed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course post-procedure.

Conclusion

A rare massive hiatal hernia, involving the stomach and pancreatic body and tail, can cause acute pancreatitis with bile duct dilatation. The etiology can be flexure of the main pancreatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Symptomatic herniation is best treated with surgery. Elective surgery is thought to be safer than emergent surgery in patients with serious complications.

Rare sequalae of hiatal hernia causing pancreatitis and hepatitis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hiatal hernia (HH) contents commonly include stomach, transverse colon, small intestine, and spleen but herniation of the pancreas is an extremely rare phenomenon.

CASE SUMMARY

79-year-old female with multiple comorbidities presented to emergency department with complaints of weight loss for 6 mo and abdominal pain for one day. Physical examination revealed cachectic and dehydrated female and bowel sounds could be auscultated on the right side of chest. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen revealed interval enlargement of a massive HH, containing stomach and much of the bowel as well as pancreas and distal extra-hepatic biliary duct, probably responsible for obstructive effect upon same. There was increased prominence of the pancreas consistent with pancreatitis. There was a large HH causing obstructive effect with dilated biliary system along gall bladder wall edema and pancreatitis. Patient clinical status improved with conservative treatment.

CONCLUSION

HH presenting with acute pancreatitis is a serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The initial management is conservative, even if the abdominal content has herniated to mediastinum. The incentive spirometry can be utilized in the conservative of the large HH. After stabilization of the patient, elective surgical intervention remains the mainstay of the management. Definitive treatment will vary from case to case depending on the acuity of situation and comorbidities.