• Shin Hee Lee, Kyu-Hyun Paik, Ji Chang Kim, and Won Suk Park.
• Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 64, Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Nov 19; 100 (46): e27905e27905.

RationaleEmphysematous pancreatitis, a rare complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis with a high mortality rate, is associated with gas-forming bacteria. When using the step-up approach for treating emphysematous pancreatitis, it is preferable to delay drainage interventions for 4 weeks. However, percutaneous drainage may be necessary, even in the early phase of acute pancreatitis, for a patient whose sepsis deteriorates despite optimal medical management. Percutaneous drainage can then be followed by endoscopic necrosectomy through the percutaneous tract.Patient ConcernsA 52-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for treatment of sepsis and multiorgan failure associated with emphysematous pancreatitis.DiagnosisAn abdominal computed tomography scan had shown pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis, along with extensive gas bubbles.InterventionsDespite optimal medical management, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate, and it became necessary to insert 2 percutaneous catheter drainages (PCDs), even though the patient was still in the early phase of pancreatitis. Each PCD was upsized and irrigated with sterile saline by an interventional radiologist twice a week. The infected necrosis around the tail of the pancreas was completely resolved after PCD. However, PCD through the transperitoneal route did not resolve necrosis around the pancreatic head. Following the PCDs, percutaneous pancreatic necrosectomy using an ultra-slim upper endoscope was performed, after which the patient recovered quickly and was discharged.OutcomesFollow-up computed tomography was performed 12 weeks after the patient was discharged, and it showed complete resolution of the walled-off necrosis. The patient's condition improved without any fluid collection or complications.LessonsPCD can be used in the early phase of emphysematous pancreatitis for patients who continue to deteriorate due to sepsis. This can easily be followed, if necessary, by percutaneous pancreatic necrosectomy using an ultra-slim endoscope.Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

33 keywords...

hide…