S1889 A Case of Ruptured Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysms in a Patient With Chronic Pancreatitis

Introduction: Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare vascular complication of pancreatitis, with an estimated prevalence of 10%. Pseudoaneurysm can result from trauma, inflammation, infection, and iatrogenic causes. Due to its weak structural support, the risk of rupture is higher for pseudoaneurysm than that of a true aneurysm of similar size. Pancreatic pseudoaneurysms can lead to life-threatening complications such as rupture and bleeding, with increased morbidity and mortality up to 90% in untreated patients and 12.5% despite treatment. Due to its high mortality rate with rupture, pseudoaneurysms should be treated immediately once it is identified, regardless of their size or whether it is symptomatic or not Case Description/Methods: We present a case of a 68-year-old male patient with a past medical history significant for chronic pancreatitis who presented with altered mental status and hypovolemic shock secondary to unexplained gastrointestinal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage (Table). Computed tomography (CT) Angiography was done which showed an enlarging retroperitoneal and right-sided intraperitoneal hematoma with suspicion for active arterial extravasation or punctate pseudoaneurysms in the pancreatic head (Figure). Celiac angiogram was done under fluoroscopic guidance, which showed gastroduodenal and superior pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysms. He underwent successful endovascular coil embolization of the gastroduodenal artery. Post procedure he was monitored in intensive care unit. His clinical condition continued to improve and was discharged to a skilled nursing facility in stable condition. Discussion: Physicians should be aware of pancreatic pseudoaneurysms as rare vascular complication associated with chronic pancreatitis that may lead to fatal gastrointestinal or retroperitoneal bleeding with a high mortality rate. Our case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment in these patients.Figure 1.: A: CT abdomen and pelvis without intravenous contrast showing peripancreatic inflammation surrounding the pancreatic body and head along with retroperitoneal bleed (red arrow). Pancreatic calcifications present (yellow arrow) signifying radiologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis B: CT Angiography showing retroperitoneal and right-sided intraperitoneal hematoma with active arterial extravasation or punctate pseudoaneurysms in the pancreatic head. Table 1. - Laboratory Investigation Investigation Day 1 of Hospitalization Day 5 At Time of Discharge Reference Range White Blood Cell count 24.3 14.3 k/uL 7 k/uL 4.8-10.8 k/uL Red Blood Cell Count 4.77 2.69 MIL/uL 3.19 MIL/uL 4.50-5.90 MIL/uL Hemoglobin 15.8 8.5 mg/dl 10.2 mg/dl 12.0-16.0 g/dL Hematocrit 47.6 25.7 % 30.5% 42-51 % Platelet count 171 155 k/uL 215 k/uL 150-400 k/uL Sodium, Serum 132 139 mEq/L 140 mEq/L 135-145 mEq/L Potassium, Serum 3.0 3.2 mEq/L 3.9 mEq/L 3.5-5.0 mEq/L Blood Urea Nitrogen, Serum 41 17 mg/ml 10 mg/ml 8-26 mg/dL Creatinine, Serum 1.2 0.5 mg/dl 0.6 mg/dl 0.5-1.5 mg/dL Bilirubin, Serum total 0.5 0.7 mg/dl 0.3 mg/dl 0.2-1.1 mg/dL Serum Direct Bilirubin 0.3 0.3 mg/dl < 0.2 mg/dl 0.0-0.3 mg/dL Alkaline Phosphatase 51 48 units/L 73 units/L 56-155 unit/L Aspartate Transaminase 125 21 units/L 18 units/L 9-48 unit/L Alanine Aminotransferase 81 30 units /L 12 units /L 5-40 unit/L Lactic acid Level 8.2 0.8 mmoles/L 1.1 mmoles/L 0.5-1.6 mmoles/L Prothrombin Time 15.2 13.9 sec 10.5 sec 9.9-13.3 seconds International Normalized Ratio 1.31 1.20 0.92 0.85-1.14 Serum Calcium 6.6mg/dl 7.6 mg/dl 9.2 3 mg/dl 8.5-10.5 mg/dl Serum Lipase 24 U/L < =61U/L Serum Triglyceride 163mg/gl 55-150 mg/dl Serum Ethanol < 10 < = 10mg/dl Urine Toxicology Cocaine and methadone Negative