Hyperlipemic pancreatitis and pseudocyst formation in late pregnancy

Hyperlipemic pancreatitis and pseudocyst formation late in pregnancy is a rare event. We report a case of hyperlipemic pancreatitis occurring in a G1P0 oriental woman at 32 weeks gestation. The initial serum lipase level was 1070 U/L, serum cholesterol level was 38.50 mmol/L and triglyceride level was > 57 mmol/L. She was treated conservatively with fasting, narcotic analgesia, and fluid resuscitation. Her symptoms resolved rapidly and lipase returned to normal within 2 days. During the first week in hospital she developed peripancreatic fluid collections and became symptomatic from a collection that extended down into the right pelvis. One week after admission she developed pre-term labor and delivered a healthy infant vaginally. There was an excellent outcome for both mother and infant. Serum lipid levels returned to near normal by 6 weeks post delivery.