Excision of a giant pseudo-pancreatic cyst masquerading as ascites in young patient: a case report

Pancreatic pseudocysts are diagnosed more frequently due to increased usage of imaging techniques. A pseudocyst with diameter of 10 cm is defined as giant cyst. Larger and symptomatic pseudocysts require intervention while cysts upto 6 cm can be managed conservatively. A 16 year old young patient presented with abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distension, and breathlessness for 15 days. On examination, patient had tense distended abdomen with gross ascites. His vitals showed tachycardia, hypotension and tachypnea. After resuscitation, ultrasound showed gross ascites with moving echoes and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen showed similar findings. Patient underwent multiple therapeutic tapping of ascitic fluid but no significant improvement. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed giant pseudo pancreatic cyst extending from diaphragm to the pelvis with necrotic material. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, drainage of necrotic material with excision of giant pseudocyst and roux-en-y pancreaticojejunostomy. Post operatively patient had an uneventful recovery. Giant pancreatic pseudocysts are unusual and early management is required. Some experts considered external drainage is safer than cystogastrostomy. We suggest early diagnosis and surgical excision is feasible for a giant pancreatic pseudocyst. However, endoscopic drainage can be considered in some instances.

Broken stent of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography mimicking a common bile duct stone: a case report

Long standing biliary stent for biliary stricture may have complications like cholangitis, cholecystitis, stent fracture and stent migration. Treatment includes re-do endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, removal of fractured stent and restenting. Authors report a case of fractured biliary stent mimicking as distal common bile duct stone. Patient presented with features of cholangitis with history of endoscopic stenting 6 years back but lost follow up thereafter. Ultrasound showed 2cm calculus in distal common bile duct and the stent was seen on endoscopy through the papilla in the duodenum. Contrast enhanced computed tomography of abdomen showed radio opaque dense shadow in the distal common bile duct suggesting possibility of broken biliary stent. Redo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography failed to remove the fractured stent. A new stent was placed without complications. Patient underwent open common bile duct exploration and the fractured stent was removed. Patient recovered completely after the procedure.