Acute prevertebral abscess secondary to infected pancreatic pseudocyst

Ajay M Bhandarkar1, Suresh Pillai, Shruti Venkitachalam

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

BMJ Case Reports
|January 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

A middle-aged man with diabetes developed a prevertebral abscess caused by an infected pancreatic pseudocyst. Treatment involved surgical drainage and antibiotics, successfully resolving the infection.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Prevertebral abscesses are rare, often originating from spinal infections.
  • Pancreatic pseudocysts can lead to serious complications, including infection.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for various infections.

Observation:

  • A middle-aged male diabetic patient presented with dysphagia and odynophagia.
  • Imaging revealed an acute prevertebral abscess communicating with an infected pancreatic pseudocyst.
  • The abscess extended into the retrogastric space via the esophageal hiatus.

Findings:

  • Successful transoral incision and drainage of the prevertebral abscess were performed.
  • A nasogastric tube facilitated continuous drainage and irrigation of the abscess cavity.
  • Combined surgical and antibiotic management led to complete resolution.

Implications:

  • This case highlights an unusual etiology for prevertebral abscesses.
  • Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • Highlights the importance of considering pancreatic complications in abscess formation.

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