Air in the main pancreatic duct has been reported only rarely and might be associated with either a spontane- ous or a surgically induced alteration of the anatomy of the biliary tract. We report a case of ＂innocent...Air in the main pancreatic duct has been reported only rarely and might be associated with either a spontane- ous or a surgically induced alteration of the anatomy of the biliary tract. We report a case of ＂innocent＂ air found incidentally in the main pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this is only the third such case reported. A 54-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis that had lasted for 3 d. She underwent a chest computed tomography scan, which revealed not only focal bron- chiectasis in the left lower lobe, but also air in the main pancreatic duct and dilatation of the common bile duct. She was managed conservatively for the hemop- blsis and no further problems developed. She had no specific gastrointestinal symptoms and had no history of surgery or medication. Her laboratory parameters were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancrea- tography also demonstrated air in the main pancreatic duct and a dilated common bile duct （CBD）. Duode- noscopy revealed separate biliary and pancreatic ori-rices with patulous openings and some air bubbles ap- pearing in the pancreatic orifice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） showed the dilated CBD and pancreatic duct with some air bubbles, but no other abnormal lesions. She was discharged with no further problems. Most patients with air in the main pancreatic duct have had a pancreatobiliary disease, or a history of pancreatobiliary disease, pancreatobiliary surgery or sphincterotomy. If the air is innocent, as in our case, ERCP should be performed to evaluate any altered sphincteric function or anatomy such as patu- Ious openings.展开更多
文摘Air in the main pancreatic duct has been reported only rarely and might be associated with either a spontane- ous or a surgically induced alteration of the anatomy of the biliary tract. We report a case of ＂innocent＂ air found incidentally in the main pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this is only the third such case reported. A 54-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis that had lasted for 3 d. She underwent a chest computed tomography scan, which revealed not only focal bron- chiectasis in the left lower lobe, but also air in the main pancreatic duct and dilatation of the common bile duct. She was managed conservatively for the hemop- blsis and no further problems developed. She had no specific gastrointestinal symptoms and had no history of surgery or medication. Her laboratory parameters were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancrea- tography also demonstrated air in the main pancreatic duct and a dilated common bile duct （CBD）. Duode- noscopy revealed separate biliary and pancreatic ori-rices with patulous openings and some air bubbles ap- pearing in the pancreatic orifice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） showed the dilated CBD and pancreatic duct with some air bubbles, but no other abnormal lesions. She was discharged with no further problems. Most patients with air in the main pancreatic duct have had a pancreatobiliary disease, or a history of pancreatobiliary disease, pancreatobiliary surgery or sphincterotomy. If the air is innocent, as in our case, ERCP should be performed to evaluate any altered sphincteric function or anatomy such as patu- Ious openings.
