Multiple extra-splanchnic venous thromboses - an unusual vascular complication of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with variable clinical presentations. Splanchnic venous thrombosis is a well-known vascular complication of AP and commonly present as thrombosis of the splanchnic venous system: splenic vein (SplV), portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV), either separately or in combinations. Involvement of extra-splanchnic vessels is rare and associated with morbidity and mortality. Vascular complications are late phenomena and usually associated with local complications of AP, namely acute fluid collections, necrotizing pancreatitis and walled-off pancreatic necrosis. Pathogenesis of venous thrombosis is multifactorial in which pancreatic inflammation and systemic inflammatory response play a key role. At present, there are no consensus guidelines on treatment and use of anticoagulation for venous thrombosis in the setting of AP. Limited literature suggests the use of anticoagulation in presence of PV with or without SMV thrombosis and extrasplanchnic vessel involvement. Literature on extra-splanchnic vessels involvement in acute pancreatitis is sparse. Here we present two cases with multiple extra-splanchnic vessels involvement and their management.

Acute Pancreatitis: A Rare Post-Colonoscopy Sequela

Abdominal pain is a common but benign symptom after colonoscopy. We report a case of acute pancreatitis that occurred just after an elective screening colonoscopy; this is a rare event with very few reported cases. A healthy, asymptomatic male underwent screening colonoscopy at our center and developed abdominal pain and emesis after the procedure. An abdominal X-ray ruled out perforation but laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of amylase and lipase. The patient had no etiological risk factors for pancreatitis. The presumed mechanism of pancreatitis in this case is mechanical and pressure trauma from excessive insufflation, external abdominal pressure, and repeated withdrawal of the colonoscope due to tight angulation of the splenic flexure, a structure that is in close proximity to the pancreatic tail. Acute pancreatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with abdominal pain after colonoscopy once more common etiologies have been excluded.