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Gallstone pancreatitis in children: atypical presentation and review

Samir Akel1, Mohammad Khalifeh, Madeleine Makhlouf Akel

  • 1Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, 113-6044/A10, Beirut, Lebanon. sa37@aub.edu.lb

European Journal of Pediatrics
|April 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Gallstone pancreatitis is rare in children but can cause jaundice. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for successful treatment and recovery in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Surgical Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Pancreatitis in children is uncommon, with causes including trauma, infection, and anatomical abnormalities.
  • Gallstone pancreatitis is a particularly rare condition in infants and young children.

Observation:

  • A 17-month-old girl presented with a month of jaundice, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, acute pancreatitis, and pseudo-hyponatremia due to hyperlipidemia.
  • Imaging revealed an obstruction at the Ampulla of Vater without choledochal cysts or pancreatic masses.

Findings:

  • The patient underwent urgent decompressive cholecystostomy and intraoperative cholecystography.
  • Subsequent cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration, stone extraction, and sphincterotomy led to an uneventful recovery.

Implications:

  • Acute gallstone pancreatitis in pediatric patients can manifest as jaundice or abdominal pain.
  • Prompt recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely surgical management are essential for favorable outcomes in children with gallstone pancreatitis.
Abstract

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