Hemosuccus pancreaticus secondary to pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery

Left Gastric Artery Pseudoaneurysm Due to Pancreatitis

Acute or chronic pancreatitis can cause pseudoaneurysms of visceral arteries. The left gastric artery (LGA) is the least common visceral artery being affected. Here, we report a case of chronic pancreatitis with a pseudoaneurysm of the LGA. A 42-year-old male, a chronic alcoholic, and smoker, presented with abdominal pain, haematemesis, and melena. Diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of LGA aneurysm was confirmed by computed tomography abdomen. The endovascular coil embolization was done successfully, following which the patient had an uneventful recovery.

[Treatment strategy for complicated pancreatic pseudocysts]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze an effectiveness of various surgical approaches for complicated pancreatic pseudocysts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The results of surgical treatment were analyzed in 188 patients with complicated pancreatic pseudocysts. The study included patients with one of complications of pseudocyst (infection, bleeding, compression of adjacent organs, perforation). Depending on surgical treatment, patients were divided into 2 groups: the 1^st group (76 patients) - laparotomy followed by certain open surgery, the 2^nd group (112 patients) - various minimally invasive treatments without further open operations.

RESULTS

Effectiveness of surgical treatment was analyzed considering incidence of complications (postoperative wound suppuration, pneumonia, sepsis, multiple organ failure) and mortality. In the 1^st group, postoperative wound suppuration - 22 (29%) patients, pneumonia - 17 (22.4%), sepsis - 14 (18.4%) patients, multiple organ failure - 14 (18.4%), 15 (19.8%) patients died. In the 2^nd group, these values significantly differed: postoperative wound suppuration - 9 (8%), pneumonia - 5 (4.3%), sepsis - 1 (0.9%), multiple organ failure - 4 (3.5%), 1 (0.9%) patient died.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive measures are the most optimal for any complication of pancreatic pseudocyst. Laparotomy is indicated if minimally invasive intervention is impossible for certain reason. It is advisable to concentrate these patients in specialized centers.

Hematochezia secondary to hemosuccus pancreaticus due to a pseudoaneurysm associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst

The patient had a history of recurrent acute necrotizing pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and a pancreatic pseudocyst with an associated pseudoaneurysm in the superior mesenteric artery. He presented mesogastric pain, nausea, 187 U/l amylase and 242 U/l lipase. A hemorrhagic appearance inside the pseudocyst and lumen of the common bile duct was seen on ultrasound.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

The term 'hemosuccus pancreaticus' was first coined in 1970 by Sandblom (1). It refers to bleeding that occurs through the pancreatic duct and is a rare cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.