Non-surgical management of a ruptured posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocyst in a child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Isolated pancreatic injuries are uncommon following blunt abdominal trauma.
• Pancreatic pseudocysts are a known complication of acute pancreatitis, often resulting from trauma.
• Ruptured pancreatic pseudocysts are rare, particularly in pediatric cases.

Observation:

• A 5-year-old girl sustained blunt abdominal trauma from a handlebar injury.
• She developed traumatic acute pancreatitis, followed by a pancreatic pseudocyst.
• The pseudocyst spontaneously ruptured 27 days post-trauma, presenting with abdominal pain.

Findings:

• The pediatric patient with a ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst was successfully managed non-surgically.
• This case highlights a rare complication of traumatic pancreatitis in a child.

Implications:

• Non-surgical management can be a viable option for ruptured pancreatic pseudocysts in pediatric patients.
• Increased vigilance for pancreatic injuries and their complications in children after blunt trauma is warranted.
• This case contributes to the understanding of rare pediatric trauma complications.