Spontaneous pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula: a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of pancreatitis

Spontaneous Pancreatic Pseudocyst-Superior Mesenteric Vein Fistula

Pancreatic pseudocyst formation is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. Rarely, a fistula develops between the pseudocyst and the portal venous system. We present a case of a 50-year-old man who was found to have a pancreatic pseudocyst-superior mesenteric vein fistula after being evaluated for several months of abdominal pain and weight loss. The patient was treated with endoscopic stenting of the pancreatic duct along with early enteral nutrition and suppressive antibiotics, which resulted in improvement in his condition. This case report highlights clinical presentation and the complexity of treatment of this rare diagnosis.

The Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis in children and adolescents

Acute pancreatitis (AP) and recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) are conditions, whose incidence is apparently on the rise. Despite the ever-increasing evidence regarding the management of AP in children and adults, therapeutic actions that could potentially affect having a poor prognosis in those patients, especially in the pediatric population, continue to be carried out. Therefore, the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología convened a group of 24 expert pediatric gastroenterologists from different institutions and areas of Mexico, as well as 2 pediatric nutritionists and 2 specialists in pediatric surgery, to discuss different aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AP and RAP in the pediatric population. The aim of this document is to present the consensus results. Different AP topics were addressed by 6 working groups, each of which reviewed the information and formulated statements considered pertinent for each module, on themes involving recommendations and points of debate, concerning diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. All the statements were presented and discussed. They were then evaluated through a Delphi process, with electronic and anonymous voting, to determine the level of agreement on the statements. A total of 29 statements were formulated, all of which reached above 75% agreement in the first round of voting.

Complications of chronic pancreatitis prior to and following surgical treatment: A proposal for classification

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a long-lasting disease frequently associated with complications for which there is no comprehensive pathophysiological classification.

AIM

The aims of this study were to: Propose a pathophysiological classification of the complications of CP; evaluate their prevalence in a surgical cohort prior to, and following surgical management; and assess the impact of the surgical treatment on the occurrence of new complications of CP during follow-up. We hypothesized that optimal surgical treatment can resolve existing complications and reduce the risk of new complications, with the exclusion of pancreatic insufficiency. The primary outcomes were prevalence of complications of CP at baseline (prior to surgical treatment) and occurrence of new complications during follow-up.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval, a prospective observational cohort study with long-term follow-up (up to 20.4 years) was conducted. All consecutive single-center adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) with CP according to the criteria of the American Pancreas Association subjected to surgical management between 1997 and 2021, were included. The prevalence of CP complications evaluated, according to the proposed classification, in a surgical cohort of 166 patients. Development of the pathophysiological classification was based on a literature review on the clinical presentation, course, and complications of CP, as well a review of previous classification systems of CP.

RESULTS

We distinguished four groups of complications: Pancreatic duct complications, peripancreatic complications, pancreatic hemorrhages, and pancreatic insufficiency (exocrine and endocrine). Their baseline prevalence was 20.5%, 23.5%, 10.2%, 31.3%, and 27.1%, respectively. Surgical treatment was highly effective in avoiding new complications in the first and third groups. In the group of peripancreatic complications, the 15-year Kaplan-Meier prevalence of new complications was 12.1%. The prevalence of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency increased during follow-up, being 66.4% and 47.1%, respectively, at 15 years following surgery. Pancreatoduodenal resection resulted optimal results in avoiding new peripancreatic complications, but was associated with the highest rate of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

The proposed complication classification improves the understanding of CP. It could be beneficial for clinical decision making, as it provides an opportunity for more comprehensive judgement on patient’s needs on the one hand, and on the pros and cons of the treatment under consideration, on the other. The presence of complications of CP and the risk of development of new ones should be among the main determinants of surgical choice.

A ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst causes acute peritonitis with clinical characteristics of a gastrointestinal tract perforation

Intraperitoneal air in pancreatic pseudocysts is a rare complication that can jeopardize hemodynamic stability and requires emergency surgery. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Computed tomography showed a hollow visceral perforation with intraperitoneal air and two pseudocysts close to the pancreas. The patient was transferred to the emergency operating room with symptoms of septic shock. We histopathologically diagnosed a ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst combined with an intracystic haemorrhage. We resected a portion of the pseudocyst wall using surface electrocautery inside the lumen, cholecystectomy and peritoneal toilet and maintained adequate external drainage. The patient was discharged on postoperative Day 12. The patient achieved relapse-free survival for 12 months postoperatively. Ruptured pancreatic pseudocysts with extraluminal gas are dangerous if effective medical interventions are not performed. Emergency surgery should be completed as soon as possible to drain the pancreatic cyst and cleanse the abdomen.

Pancreatic-Portal Vein Fistula: a Rare Diagnosis with Wide-Ranging Complications-13-Year Experience of a Pancreas Center of Excellence

PURPOSE

To determine factors affecting mortality, and long-term patency of portal vein, in patients with pancreatic-portal vein fistula (PPVF).

METHODS

Consecutive cases of PPVF at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2008 to 2020 were retrospectively identified. Clinical history, imaging studies, management strategies, complications, and long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients, representing the largest PPVF cohort reported to date (mean age 58.6 years, 64.3% women, median follow-up 10 months [1-98 months]) were identified. Underlying chronic pancreatitis was seen in 9 (64.3%) patients, while 5 (35.7%) developed PPVF with first attack of acute pancreatitis. PPVF involved proximal main portal vein (MPV) in 10 (78.6%) patients. Of the 5 patients (35.7%) who died, all had occlusive (n=4) or near-occlusive (n=1) PPVF-associated filling defect (FD) in the MPV. Conversely, 7 of 9 survivors (87.5%) had subocclusive FD and patent MPV. In patients with sepsis (n=5), 1 underwent surgical necrosectomy and survived, while 3 of 4 (75%) patients without debridement died.

CONCLUSION

Occlusive/near-occlusive PPVF-associated MPV FD, and sepsis, are associated with high mortality rates, while subocclusive MPV FD is associated with survival and long-term MPV patency. PPVF is a potentially life-threatening, and possibly under-diagnosed, entity that warrants early clinical suspicion for timely diagnosis, to facilitate optimal management.

Where there is pancreatic juice, there is a way: Spontaneous fistulization of severe acute pancreatitis-associated collection into urinary bladder

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFC) are notorious for their extension beyond the normal confines of the pancreatic bed. This distribution is explained by dissection along the fascial planes in retroperitoneum due to the digestive enzymes within the PFC. In genitourinary track, PFCs have been described to involve the kidneys and the ureters. We report a case of severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis in a 28-year-old male, chronic alcoholic, who on readmission developed features of cystitis. The urine was turbid but did not show significant bacteriuria. Close location of the PFC near the urinary bladder (UB) prompted evaluation of urinary lipase and amylase. Elevated urinary enzyme levels suggested a Pancreatico-vesical fistula, conclusive demonstration of which was established by CT cystography. Percutaneous drainage of the necrosum and stenting of pancreatic duct led to spontaneous healing of the pancreatico-vesical fistula. Our case reiterates the remarkable property of pancreatic enzymes to dissect the fascial planes which is demonstrated by decompression of PFC via UB causing spontaneous Pancreatico-vesical fistula. Further, presence of main pancreatic duct fistulization should prompt endoscopic-guided stenting to obliterate the communication with the fistula and accelerate healing.

Spontaneous pancreatic pseudocyst - superior mesenteric vein fistula: A rare complication of chronic pancreatitis

Pseudocyst formation is common in chronic pancreatitis. A rare subset of these patients may develop fistulization between the pseudocyst and the portal vein system. We report a case of spontaneous pancreatic pseudocyst – superior mesenteric vein fistula in a 61-year-old male with a history of chronic recurrent calcifying pancreatitis. The fistulous connection was correctly identified on both computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and the patient was treated successfully with a conservative approach. Our case report aims to educate on this rare and potentially fatal vascular complication of chronic pancreatitis and to discuss the role of modern noninvasive imaging techniques, such as T2-weighted MRI/MRCP, in establishing this diagnosis and making a decision regarding its management.

Effectiveness of Endoscopic Pancreatic Stenting for Pancreatic Pseudocyst-Portal Vein Fistula

Pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein (PP-PV) fistula, mostly occurring after pseudocyst formation following acute/chronic pancreatitis, is a rare but life-threatening condition. The majority of treatments are based on conservative or surgical interventions. We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a PP-PV fistula and PV thrombosis. We adopted conservative treatment at first due to his mild symptoms. However, after resuming food intake, the patient had severe abdominal pain. Following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, we found that the pseudocyst was connected with the PV through the fistula. Subsequently, an endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage (ENPD) catheter was inserted into the main pancreatic duct to establish pancreatic drainage, which resulted in a decrease in the abdominal pain. After the ENPD tube had been exchanged for endoscopic pancreatic stenting, his abdominal pain did not recur. Therefore, this case demonstrated endoscopic treatment as an effective treatment option for PP-PV fistula.

Pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula: a case treated with EUS-guided cyst-drainage and a review of the literature

Pancreatic pseudocyst and portal vein thrombosis are common conditions resulting from acute and chronic pancreatitis. However, pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula (PPVF) is a rare and life-threatening complication. In PPVF patients, drainage or operative therapy is necessary under certain conditions, including communication between the pseudocyst and pancreatic duct, pancreatic duct stricture, pancreatic duct stone, and infection that is difficult to control with antibiotics. We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who presented with an infected pancreatic pseudocyst invading the portal venous system with obstruction due to thromboembolization. Conservative therapy with antibiotics was insufficient. We, therefore, performed endoscopic ultrasound-guided cyst-drainage (EUS-CD). During EUS-CD, PPVF and pseudocyst-pancreatic duct fistula were confirmed by contrast medium injection. Despite the presence of the pseudocyst-pancreatic duct fistula, the pancreatic duct was not visualized in the pancreatic head, suggesting stricture in the main pancreatic duct. We, therefore, performed endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, which revealed pancreatic stone in the main pancreatic duct. Then, we added a 7-Fr pancreatic stent. She was discharged after 89 days of hospitalization. We reviewed the literature on the management of PPVF formation, and EUS-CD is considered to be a good treatment option for PPVF patients without portal vein patency.

Case 273: Pancreatic Duct-to-Portal Vein Fistula with Secondary Portal Vein Pyophlebitis-A Rare Complication of Chronic Pancreatitis

HistoryA 55-year-old man with a history of chronic pancreatitis secondary to chronic alcohol abuse presented to the hospital with acute abdominal pain, generalized weakness, weight loss, and pyrexia. A clinical examination revealed he was tender to touch in the upper abdomen. Laboratory tests revealed a serum alkaline phosphatase level of 370 U/L (6.1 µkat/L) (normal range, 30-130 U/L [0.5-2.2 µkat/L]), a lipase level of 172 U/L (2.9 µkat/L) (normal range, 0-60 U/L [0-1.0 µkat/L]), a C-reactive protein level of 159 mg/L (1514 nmol/L) (normal value, <8.0 mg/L [76.2 nmol/L]), and a white cell count of 7 × 10⁹/L (normal range, [4-11] × 10⁹/L). During the present admission, the patient underwent urgent CT for his acute symptoms. His relevant medical history included a hospital admission 2 months earlier for abdominal discomfort. Given his history of chronic pancreatitis, baseline abdominal MRI was performed to determine the cause of his symptoms and to assess the pancreas.

Pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula with refractory hepatic pseudocyst: Two cases treated with EUS cyst-gastrostomy and review of the literature

Background and study aims  Pseudocysts are the most common pancreatic cystic lesions and they usually develop in association with pancreatitis of at least 4 weeks' duration. Extra-pancreatic pseudocysts, although reported, are relatively uncommon. Secondary liver pseudocysts are recognized within the literature, and most patients described have required percutaneous or surgical drainage due to infection or symptoms. The mechanism of hepatic pseudocyst formation is not entirely clear but it is postulated that this phenomenon may occur through pseudocyst-portal vein fistulization. We describe two cases of patients presenting with pancreatic pseudocysts invading the portal venous system with embolization of pancreatic fluid to the liver and subsequent hepatic pseudocyst formation. Interestingly, liver pseudocyst resolution was incomplete with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage alone, and only occurred following endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreatic cyst-gastrostomy and metal stent insertion. We have reviewed the current literature on the diagnosis and management of pseudocyst-portal vein fistula formation and we believe that our cases represent the first published within the literature to describe this treatment approach.

Vascular reconstruction technique of a perforated portal vein during a pediatric total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplant

Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a progressive disease that can manifest in childhood with debilitating, relapsing pain. A total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplant (TPIAT) is a surgical option to relieve chronic pain while preserving the available β-cell mass. The clinical course of HP is fraught with pancreatitis-related sequelae that can both necessitate and complicate a TPIAT. We describe a child with HP who developed a pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein (PV) fistula. Active hemorrhage of the perforated PV into the pseudocyst and PV thrombosis complicated the planned TPIAT procedure and, preoperatively, required urgent image-guided stenting. During the TPIAT procedure, the endovascular stent was found to be protruding through the PV into the pseudocyst. Using the autologous splenic vein from the TPIAT specimen, we performed a vascular reconstruction of the perforated PV. This case underscores the need for evaluation of children with HP by a multidisciplinary pancreatic TPIAT care team to best prepare for the potential ramifications of pancreatitis-related complications. It also illustrates a useful vascular reconstruction technique for PV complications.

Pancreaticoportal Fistula Formation as a Consequence of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis: Clinical and Imaging Considerations

A pancreatic-portal vein fistula (PPVF) is an extremely rare complication of pancreatitis. In this report, we present a patient with a PPVF in the setting of recurrent pancreatitis and portal vein thrombosis diagnosed by cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography, who responded to medical management and anticoagulation. A critical review of this disease process is explored to highlight pathology, imaging characteristics, and essential alternative diagnostic considerations. We also discuss potential complications and current treatment strategies. PPVFs pose a unique diagnostic challenge and awareness of its clinical presentation can further improve patient outcomes.

Clinical and cross-sectional imaging features of spontaneous pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical and imaging features of pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula (PPVF).

METHODS

Patients with evidence of PPVF on CT/MRI were included. Clinical presentation, outcomes, imaging appearance of the portal vein were recorded.

RESULTS

75% of patients developed portal hypertension, 62% cavernous transformation of the portal vein and 25% portal biliopathy. PPVF presented on CT as fluid-attenuated portal vein, and on MRI as T2-weighted hyperintense fluid-filled portal vein. PPVF was misdiagnosed as portal vein thrombosis in all patients who underwent CT as initial examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Whenever PPVF is suspected on CT, MRI can be helpful to achieve accurate diagnosis and avoid unnecessary interventions.

Massive pancreatic pseudocyst with portal vein fistula: case report and proposed treatment algorithm

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a relatively common occurrence resulting from acute or chronic pancreatitis. However, a rare subset of these patients present with a pseudocyst fistulizing into the portal vein. We present the case of a 58 year-old woman with a rapidly expanding pancreatic pseudocyst with portal venous fistulization causing portal vein thrombosis, in addition to biliary and duodenal obstruction. The patient underwent surgical decompression with a cyst-gastrostomy and was well until one week post-operatively when she experienced massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage leading to her death. A review of the literature is presented and a treatment algorithm to manage patients with pancreatic pseudocyst to portal vein fistula is proposed.