Intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst (wayward cyst): A rare presentation of traumatic pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION

Cystic lesions in the liver are commonly encountered space-occupying lesions having various etiologies such as simple cysts, malignancies, hydatid cysts, and pancreatic pseudocysts.

CASE PRESENTATION

An eight-year-old girl initially presented with acute abdominal pain, fever, and a cystic lesion in the upper abdomen. Surgical intervention was performed based on an initial diagnosis of an inflammatory cyst. Later, she developed pleural effusion. Further investigations, unveiled a cystic mass arising from the head of the pancreas, and a pancreatico-pleural fistula. Retrospective analysis revealed a history of trauma that started her illness course. Conservative management involving intercostal tube drainage and octreotide infusion resulted in a favorable outcome.

DISCUSSION

Pancreatic pseudocyst is typically results from pancreatitis or trauma but in rare cases, they can have extended to unusual locations such as the liver. This case highlights the varied presentations and complex interplay of symptoms associated with intrahepatic pseudocysts. The initial oversight of trauma in the patient's history underscore the importance of thorough history-taking for an accurate diagnosis. The complexity of this case emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such atypical presentations.

CONCLUSION

Intrahepatic pseudocysts, especially those resulting from post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst, are uncommon and are not typically included in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions. This case highlights the significance of identifying unusual presentation and thoroughly investigating the patient's medical history to make an accurate diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective patient management in these complex cases.

Percutaneous drainage in the treatment of intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst with Budd-Chiari syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst (IHPP) is an extremely rare complication of acute pancreatitis, with only a few cases previously described in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, IHPP with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) has not yet been described.

CASE SUMMARY

A 35-year-old male presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and anorexia, followed by severe swelling of the lower body after 4 d. The morphological assessment (using computed tomography revealed the presence of a huge cyst of 18.28 cm × 10.34 cm under the liver capsule accompanied by a large amount of ascites. Percutaneous puncture allowed us to detect a high level of amylase in the collection, confirming the diagnosis of IHPP. The cyst was treated by percutaneous drainage, producing complete resolution of the cyst.

CONCLUSION

IHPP can be treated with percutaneous drainage, endoscopic drainage, surgery or even conservative treatment, depending on the specific condition. We recommend percutaneous drainage as the first choice of treatment when IHPP with secondary BCS.