A Case of Biliary Pancreatitis Which Subsided after Endoscopic Sphincterotomy during Pregnancy

A 24-year-old pregnant patient was referred to us because of pain and tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Her liver enzymes and bilirubin levels were elevated; an abdominal ultrasound examination revealed gallstones within the gallbladder. Diagnosis of biliary pancreatitis was established based on elevated amylase levels. Oral intake was withheld; intravenous antibiotic therapy and total parenteral nutrition were administered. An endoscopic sphincterotomy without the use of fluoroscopy was performed. Abdominal pain and elevated serum amylase levels subsided after this procedure. In our case, biliary pancreatitis, which developed during pregnancy, responded well to the endoscopic sphincterotomy, and this procedure obviated the need for surgical intervention and prevented the recurrence of pancreatitis.