Isolated Pyogenic Pancreatic Abscess Successfully Treated via Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Drainage

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Interventional Endoscopy

Background:

• Isolated pyogenic pancreatic abscess (IPPA) is a rare condition, often presenting diagnostic challenges due to its similarity to pancreatic malignancy.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is a potential risk factor for IPPA development.
• Accurate diagnosis and timely management are critical for patient outcomes.

Observation:

• Two cases of IPPA were identified in patients with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels and pancreatic masses on imaging.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was instrumental in differentiating IPPA from other pancreatic lesions.
• Cross-sectional imaging initially suggested pancreatic masses requiring further investigation.

Findings:

• EUS provided a definitive diagnosis of IPPA in both reported cases.
• EUS-guided drainage was successfully performed, leading to clinical improvement.
• Elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels were noted in patients with IPPA.

Implications:

• EUS is a valuable tool for diagnosing indeterminate pancreatic lesions, including IPPA.
• EUS-guided drainage is an effective therapeutic strategy for IPPA.
• Early diagnosis and intervention using EUS can significantly improve patient outcomes for IPPA.