Embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with pancreatitis: Report of two cases and literature review

Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2021 Sep;27(5):590-594. doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2020.84333.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is rare but potentially fatal complication of pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and timely radiologic intervention are crucial for survival as when untreated the mortality of these patients is high. We present two patients, one with chronic pancreatitis and one with acute pancreatitis, both complicated with severe upper GI tract bleeding. Patients were successfully treated with transcatheter embolization after initial endoscopic hemostasis failed. The advances in endovascular devices and embolization materials and increased number of experienced interventional radiologists have increased the importance of angiographic embolization procedures as a safe minimally invasive therapeutic method of achieving successful hemostasis associated with the low incidence of complications. Due to its advantages over surgery, it should be considered treatment of choice in patients with upper GI bleeding refractory to endoscopy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Hemostasis, Endoscopic*
  • Humans
  • Pancreatitis* / complications
  • Pancreatitis* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome