CASE REPORT

JOP. J. Pancreas (Online) 2005; 6(1):36-39.

Fascioliasis: An Exceptional Cause of Acute Pancreatitis

Miguel Echenique-Elizondo1, José Amondarain2, Carlos Lirón de Robles2

1Department of Surgery, Basque Country University School of Medicine; 2Department of Surgery, Donostia Hospital. San Sebastián, Spain

ABSTRACT

Context Fasciola hepatica is known to cause bile duct inflammation and biliary obstruction but is rarely reported as responsible for producing acute pancreatitis.

Case report We report on a patient complaining of acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography showed distinct features and sphincterotomy allowed extraction of multiple parasites.

Conclusions Pancreatitis may occur in some patients with fascioliasis, but the condition may be overlooked in chronic cases. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography rule out other possible causes of irregularity and thickening of the common bile duct wall. Parasite removal during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography is one therapeutic option. Hepatic involvement must be ruled out and complete pharmacological treatment is advised in this patient.

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Keywords Cholangiography; Fasciola hepatica; Pancreatitis

Correspondence Miguel Echenique-Elizondo: gepecelm@sc.ehu.es

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