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Hypothermia-Related Acute Pancreatitis.
Kyawzaw Lin1, Emmanuel Ofori2, Aung Naing Lin1
1Department of Internal Medicine, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Affiliate of the Mount Sinai Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Case Reports in Gastroenterology
|June 22, 2018
Summary
Transient hypothermia, often linked to chronic alcohol abuse, can trigger acute pancreatitis (AP). This case highlights the importance of aggressive fluid resuscitation in managing hypothermia-induced AP and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition with variable severity, and its association with hypothermia is not well-established.
- While mortality for AP ranges from 3-6%, understanding rare etiologies like hypothermia is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old female with a history of chronic alcohol abuse presented with severe hypothermia (81°F) and symptoms of acute pancreatitis.
- Initial laboratory results, including metabolic panels and sepsis workup, were largely unremarkable, ruling out common causes.
- Imaging revealed acute pancreatitis without necrosis or gallstones, and the patient experienced transient seizure and hypotension during rewarming.
Findings:
- The patient's acute pancreatitis was attributed to transient hypothermia, potentially exacerbated by chronic alcohol abuse and associated microcirculatory disturbances.
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation with 2 L of normal saline successfully managed the transient hypotension.
- The patient recovered and was discharged on day 4 after tolerating a low-fat diet.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between hypothermia and acute pancreatitis, particularly in individuals with risk factors like chronic alcohol abuse.
- Early recognition and management of hypothermia, alongside prompt fluid resuscitation, are vital for preventing severe complications in acute pancreatitis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms connecting hypothermia and pancreatic inflammation.
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