2141 “Knock Out” Pancreas: An Unusual Case of Isolated Pancreatic Duct Laceration in a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

Isolated Pancreatic duct laceration due to blunt trauma to the abdomen is very rare. Diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion as delay in diagnosis can lead to complications such as pseudocyst, abscess and duct stricture. We present an unusual case of pancreatic duct laceration complicated with pseudocyst formation due to blunt trauma to the abdomen during a Mixed Martial Arts fight.

CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: 

33-year-old MMA fighter with no past medical history sustained a blunt trauma to the abdomen during a fight resulting in a knockout. Patient was emergently transferred to the hospital for evaluation. Lab work revealed elevated lipase >2000 IU consistent with acute traumatic pancreatitis. CT of the abdomen revealed diffuse edema of the pancreas with suspicion for possible laceration of the pancreatic duct. Patient was conservatively managed and later discharged once pain improved. Patient continued to have abdominal pain and returned to the emergency room 3 months later with abdominal distention associated with nausea and vomiting. Repeat CT of the abdomen revealed a 13 cm × 12.5 cm cystic lesion around the body of the pancreas with communication with the pancreatic duct (Image 1,2). MRI revealed a large cystic lesion with potential communication with the pancreatic duct seen on T2 images (Image 3).An ERCP was attempted but due to the mechanical compression caused by the cyst, the ampulla could not be accessed. An Endoscopic Ultrasound guided placement of a 10 × 10 mm cyst gastrostomy stent resulted in successful drainage of the pancreatic pseudocyst. Patient was later discharged and followed up in 1 month with repeat imaging showing complete resolution of the cyst. Endoscopy was repeated 4 weeks later with removal of the cystgastrostomy stent. Patient has since been doing well and awaits ERCP to evaluate the anatomy of the pancreatic duct.

DISCUSSION: 

Isolated laceration of the pancreatic duct due to blunt trauma to the abdomen is very rare. Sudden severe impact to the abdomen, such as a punch, compresses the pancreas against the vertebral column resulting in pancreatic laceration. Diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion and imaging confirmation. Management can be challenging as most pancreatic duct lacerations are often missed resulting in complications such as in our patient. There have been case reports of successful management with early endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement. Refractory cases often require complex abdominal surgeries such as pancreatico - jejunostomy.