Calcific pancreatitis-induced gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm: non-surgical management

Hemorrhage associated with pancreatitis has a high morbidity and mortality in the early phase of the illness. In a small number of patients, bleeding is from major pancreatic or peripancreatic vessels which necessitates emergency intervention. However, most such reports are confined to adults. We report a 6-year-old girl with chronic calcific pancreatitis who presented with hematemesis and melena without any acute exacerbation of her underlying illness. Pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery was detected by angiography which was then effectively treated at the same time by embolization with gel foam and a steel coil, thus obviating the need for surgical intervention.