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Acetaminophen-induced pancreatic pseudocyst: first case report
Zachary Cavanaugh1, Edgar R Naut2
1University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Department of Medicine, Hartford, USA. zcavanaugh@student.uchc.edu
Connecticut Medicine
|March 8, 2014
Summary
Acetaminophen toxicity can cause delayed pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts in young adults. Physicians should consider acetaminophen as a cause of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts in patients with abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acetaminophen overdose is a common cause of acute liver injury.
- Acetaminophen toxicity can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, including pancreatitis.
- Drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP) is a rare but serious complication.
Observation:
- A 19-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting after acetaminophen-induced fulminant hepatic failure.
- Initial liver function tests were improving, but amylase and lipase levels worsened.
- Imaging revealed a large pancreatic pseudocyst.
Findings:
- This case highlights a delayed onset of acetaminophen-induced pancreatitis.
- Acetaminophen should be recognized as a potential cause of acute pancreatitis.
- Pancreatic pseudocysts are an increased risk in patients under 20 with DIP.
Implications:
- Physicians should include acetaminophen in the differential diagnosis for acute pancreatitis.
- Early recognition and management of acetaminophen-induced pancreatitis are crucial.
- Consider pancreatic pseudocyst in the workup of recurrent abdominal pain in young patients with a history of DIP.
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