Thursday, 9 April 2015

Lump in epigastrium


57 years old male chronic alcoholic for last 30 years presented with c/o pain abdomen, vomiting for last 20 days. Pain abdomen was constant dull aching mainly in epigastric region. Vomiting used to occur just after intake of meal and it did not contain altered or fresh blood. He also had 1 episode of melena 15 days back. Similar type of abdominal pain was present 1 year back for which he required hospitalisation for 4 days. On examination there was pallor, palpable diffuse lump in the epigastrium. There was no lymphadenopathy, icterus, cyanosis, hepatosplenomegaly. On evaluation he was found to have anemia (Hb-7.2), large pseudocyst (22 cms by 10 cms) in pancreas compressing the stomach from posterior side as seen in UGI endoscopy. There was also a duodenal ulcer in D1. A diagnosis of acute on chronic pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst formation, etiology being alcohol, was made. For duodenal ulcer he we started on proton pump inhibitors in double strength. He also received i/v fluids, analgesics and anti-emetics. Liver function and renal function tests were normal. CECT abdomen showed hyperdense content in the pancreatic pseudocyst causing cyst in cyst appearance so possibility of pseudoaneurysmal bleed was kept, but CT angiogram did not reveal any sign of pseudoaneurysm. He received 3 units of blood transfusion in the hospital following which his haemoglobin raised from 7.2 to 9.7. Then cystogastrostomy was done for the drainage of large cyst which was eminent to rupture. Patient recovered uneventfully thereafter.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE-
1.  Most common cause of acute pancreatitis is Gall stone and of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol.
2.  Incidence of pseudocyst in acute pancreatitis varies from 5% to 20%.
3.  Pseudoaneurysm formation and subsequent rupture is one of the fearsome complication.
4.  Endoscopic drainage is effective method of management of pancreatic pseudocyst. Most commonly used technique is gastrocystostomy which is performed endoscopically.

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