Korean J Pancreas Biliary Tract.  2016 Apr;21(2):76-81. 10.15279/kpba.2016.21.2.76.

Acute Emphysematous Pancreatitis with Fulminant Multi-organ Failure

• Hong SW
• Kang J
• Youk J
• Hwang JH
• Kim J

• KMID: 2448517
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15279/kpba.2016.21.2.76

Abstract

An emphysematous pancreatitis is a rare, but fatal subtype of acute pancreatitis. Gas-forming bacteria from the bowel may penetrate the pancreas to cause emphysematous pancreatitis. It is characterized by the presence of gas within pancreas bed or retroperitoneal cavity at computed tomographic image and carries a high mortality rate. It requires fluid resuscitation and anti-bacterial therapy to control infection, and needs to consider percutaneous drainage or surgical management depending on the clinical condition. We report a case of 73-year-old patient presented with an emphysematous pancreatitis which developed fulminant multi-organ failure in spite of intensive medical treatment along with a review of the related literatures.

Keyword

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis; Multiple organ failure; Retroperitoneal space

MeSH Terms

Aged
Bacteria
Drainage
Humans
Mortality
Multiple Organ Failure
Pancreas
Pancreatitis*
Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing
Resuscitation
Retroperitoneal Space