Successful Management of Pancreatic Ascites with both Conservative Management and Pancreatic Duct Stenting

Abstract

Pancreatic ascites is a rare complication and should be suspected in patients with chronic alcoholism and pancreatitis presenting with ascites.The etiology is likely from a pancreatic pseudocyst leakage or due to ductal disruption. Treatment is controversial but includes conservative medical therapy or endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic duct stenting or surgery. We present a case of pancreatic ascites in a patient with alcohol use and chronic pancreatitis. Patient received conservative therapy including octreotide. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed, which confirmed a pancreatic duct dehiscence with extravasation of the injected contrast. This was treated with placement of a stent. Patient improved clinically and symptomatically. This case report augments the existing data from two prior reported case series, and this modality of management should be actively pursued in such cases.




Publish ahead of print August 13, 2009
Gastroenterol Res. 2009;2(4):245-247
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr2009.08.1306