Ewha Med J.  2011 Sep;34(2):55-59. 10.12771/emj.2011.34.2.55.

Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Dyslipidemia

• An SB
• Park SJ
• Im SS
• Sung MK
• Lee BH
• Lee JW
• Park JH

• KMID: 2283971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12771/emj.2011.34.2.55

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia can be a cause of acute pancreatitis. For example, dyslipidemia classified Fredrickson/WHO classification type I, V can induce acute pancreatitis spontaneously. Secondary hyperlipidemia (DM, alcohol, estrogen, etc.) also can induce acute pancreatitis. High serum amylase level and triglyceride level are hall markers of diagnosis. But lactescent serum interferes with accurate laboratory analysis of amylase. Serum amylase was normal or low in 50% of cases. Clinical course and treatment are similar with other causes of acute pancreatitis. Lipoprotein electrophoresis helps classify dyslipidemia by Fredrickson/WHO classification. In some cases, to prevent hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, serum triglyceride should be lower than 500 mg/dl. We report two cases of acute pancreatitis caused by dyslipidemia.

Keyword

Acute pancreatitis; Dyslipidemia

MeSH Terms

Amylases
Dyslipidemias
Electrophoresis
Estrogens
Hyperlipidemias
Lipoproteins
Pancreatitis
Amylases
Estrogens
Lipoproteins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Case 1. Lipoprotein electrophoresis shows Fredrickson/WHO classification type IV pattern that is pre-beta fraction (VLDL) dominant pattern. (B) Case 2. Lipoprotein electrophoresis shows Fredrickson/WHO classification type III pattern that is between beta (LDL) and pre-beta (VLDL) fraction dominant, which makes it difficult to fractionate between beta (LDL) and pre-beta (VLDL).

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  Fig. 2 Abdominal CT Finding of Case 1. (A) Initial abdominal CT scan shows diffuse peripancreatic fatty infiltration. (B) 2 weeks later, abdominal CT scan shows a pseudocyst in infrapyloric area. but, decreased peripancreatic fatty infiltration. (C) 6 weeks later from initial abdominal CT, abdominal CT scan shows marked decreased pseudocyst in infrapyloric area. and, no visible peripancreatic fatty infiltration.

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  Fig. 3 Abdominal CT Finding of Case 2. Almost no enhancing viable pancreatic tissue in pancreatic tail portion with diffuse peripancreatic infiltration and fluid collection extended to perigastric are observed.

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