Open AccessAir in the main pancreatic duct: A case of innocent air
Author(s) -
Yun Ji Kim,
Hyung Keun Kim,
Young Seok Cho,
Sung Soo Kim,
Hiun Suk Chae,
Seung Kyong Kim,
Eun Sun Kim,
Su Yeon Lee
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v18.i36.5142
Subject(s) - medicine , endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography , pancreatic duct , magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography , common bile duct , duct (anatomy) , radiology , bile duct , pancreas , pancreatic disease , surgery , pancreatitis
Air in the main pancreatic duct has been reported only rarely and might be associated with either a spontaneous or a surgically induced alteration of the anatomy of the biliary tract. We report a case of "innocent" air found incidentally in the main pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this is only the third such case reported. A 54-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis that had lasted for 3 d. She underwent a chest computed tomography scan, which revealed not only focal bronchiectasis in the left lower lobe, but also air in the main pancreatic duct and dilatation of the common bile duct. She was managed conservatively for the hemoptysis and no further problems developed. She had no specific gastrointestinal symptoms and had no history of surgery or medication. Her laboratory parameters were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography also demonstrated air in the main pancreatic duct and a dilated common bile duct (CBD). Duodenoscopy revealed separate biliary and pancreatic orifices with patulous openings and some air bubbles appearing in the pancreatic orifice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed the dilated CBD and pancreatic duct with some air bubbles, but no other abnormal lesions. She was discharged with no further problems. Most patients with air in the main pancreatic duct have had a pancreatobiliary disease, or a history of pancreatobiliary disease, pancreatobiliary surgery or sphincterotomy. If the air is innocent, as in our case, ERCP should be performed to evaluate any altered sphincteric function or anatomy such as patulous openings.