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Bridging the Disconnection: ERCP Management of Pancreatic Ascites and Pseudocysts in a High-Risk Patient Referred for TIPS
Poster Abstract

 

Pancreatic ascites is a rare condition marked by high amylase ascitic fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, often resulting from pancreatic duct disruption/ “disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome”/, due to necrotizing pancreatitis at most cases. Its rarity and unclear clinical presentation make diagnosis and treatment challenging. Conservative management, including nutritional support and therapeutic paracentesis, has a high failure rate. In contrast, interventional therapies like endoscopic pancreatic stenting have shown better outcomes. However, standardized management guidelines are lacking. We present a 56-year-old man, referred for TIPS placement due to refractory ascites. He was diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and chronic pancreatitis with pseudocysts. Multiple paracenteses were conducted at various hospitals, utilizing maximal diuretic therapy; however, no significant reduction in the ascites was achieved. Upon physical examination, the patient exhibited severe tenderness in the epigastric region and periumbilical area, without signs of peritoneal irritation. The abdomen was distended due to ascites, and there was no peripheral edema. A diagnosis of pancreatic ascites was confirmed following diagnostic paracentesis, revealing high levels of amylase (963U/l) and lipase (359U/l). An MRI identified three pancreatic pseudocysts, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct up to 6cm, and discontinuity of the duct at the distal body and tail with pseudocyst formation measuring 12 × 8.3 cm leading to the diagnosis of disconnected pancreatic duct. An ERCP was performed with pancreatography, revealing contrast filling in the dilated proximal part of the main pancreatic duct with partial disruption and a contrast "leak" at the level of the pancreatic body/tail along with cyst formation. There was an absence of contrast filling downstream of the Wirsung, indicating a 10 mm long stenosis at the proximal part of the pancreatic duct, which precluded the passage of a standard sphincterotome and of a needle-knife. After selective pancreatic sphincterotomy, a 6-fr cystotome was utilized to traverse the distal ductal stricture, enabling pancreatic stenting with a 7fr/10cm plastic stent and bridging the disruption/leak/.Post-procedure, the patient experienced a decrease in abdominal pain. A CT scan demonstrated a reduction the volume of ascites and the size of the pseudocysts. Within four weeks, the abdominal fluid and pseudocysts completely resolved. There are no established treatment protocols for pancreatic ascites, but early intervention is key for better outcomes. For patients with DPD, crossing the disconnection with a guidewire to the excluded segment is very difficult, with high failure rates of 50% to 100%. Sphincterotomy reduces outflow resistance, facilitating pancreatic drainage and promoting healing, effectively decreasing recurrence rates and reducing the need for repeated paracentesis.