Ethanol Lavage Therapy to Prevent Recurrent Pancreatitis in a Patient with Pancreatic Mucinous Neoplasm / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

An 88-year-old woman diagnosed with recurrent pancreatitis and pancreatic cyst at a local clinic was admitted for upper abdominal pain. The pain was aggravated after a meal, and the patient had lost 3 kg over the past 6 months. MRCP examination revealed a 68 mm-sized septated pancreatic cyst compressing the main pancreatic duct. EUS-FNA to differentiate the cystic component retrieved a high viscosity fluid. A diagnosis of mucin-producing pancreatic cystic neoplasm was made. The patient refused surgical treatment, and alternative treatments, including methods to decompress the pancreatic cyst, were performed. The patient was treated with aspiration of cystic fluid, observation with diet control, and 99% ethanol lavage to ablate the pancreatic cyst. The treatment of 99% ethanol lavage provided the longest symptom-free period, ranging from 7 to 18 months without complications. The authors report that repeated ethanol lavage of a pancreatic cyst causing recurrent pancreatitis can be an effective treatment option for patients who are poor surgical candidates.