Life-threatening upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by pancreatic pseudocysts: A case report

Pancreatic pseudocysts are fluid-filled sacs that typically develop as a complication of pancreatitis or abdominal trauma. These lesions are relatively rare, with an estimated incidence of 0.5 to 1 case per 100,000 people annually. While asymptomatic pseudocysts often resolve with conservative management, symptomatic cases or those complicated by infection, hemorrhage, or obstruction generally require surgical intervention.

A 45-year-old man had recurrent black stools and vomiting blood. Initially diagnosed with gastritis, his condition worsened despite treatment, leading to severe bleeding.

Imaging showed a suspected stomach hematoma, but the cause was a pancreatic pseudocyst eroding the stomach wall and a gastric artery.

Emergency surgery.

The operation was successful, and the patient made a full recovery. Follow-up imaging at 2 months confirmed complete resolution of the gastric mass.

This rare case highlights that pancreatic pseudocysts can cause major GI bleeding. Unexplained bleeding patients should be evaluated for pancreatic disease, especially with a history of pseudocysts.