[Multivisceral pancratic cytosteatonecrosis found at autopsy]

Pancreatic cytosteatonecrosis is a rare condition associated with various pancreatic diseases such as acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. We report a case of pancreatic cytosteatonecrosis discovered at autopsy.

This is a young man, 29 years old, alcoholic, non-smoker, who consulted for abdominal pain, vomiting, fever (38°). Renal ultrasound showed signs of acute renal failure, with severe anemia at 6g/dl and hyperleukocytosis. Lipasemia has not been tested. The treatment combined hemodialysis, punctures of effusions, analgesics, antibiotics and diuretics. The death occurred after 45 days of hospitalization. The medical autopsy requested showed an abdominal cavity dotted with multiple whitish, chalky, "candle-stained" nodules scattered throughout the peritoneum. Microscopy confirmed the diagnosis by showing large areas of adiponecrosis associated with polymorphic, diffuse leukocyte infiltrates and calcifications.

This observation is original by the discovery at autopsy of one of the major complications of acute pancreatitis. This situation is dramatic because the death could be avoided. You have to think about it in order to ask for the dosage of lipasemia. The "digestion" of pancreatic enzymes are responsible for intra-pancreatic and peri-pancreatic complications. Chronic alcoholism and cholelithiasis are the main risk factors.