Open AccessCase 273: Pancreatic Duct–to–Portal Vein Fistula with Secondary Portal Vein Pyophlebitis—A Rare Complication of Chronic Pancreatitis
Author(s) -
Hector N. Aguilar,
Florin Manolea,
Vimal Patel,
Gavin Low
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
radiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.118
H-Index - 295
eISSN - 1527-1315
pISSN - 0033-8419
DOI - 10.1148/radiol.2019171373
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatitis , complication , abdomen , acute pancreatitis , gastroenterology , abdominal pain , pancreatic duct , physical examination , surgery
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 × 10 9 /L (normal range, [4-11] × 10 9 /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.