Although risk factors such as cholelithiasis and vaso-occlusive crises exist in sickle cell disease, acute pancreatitis and its recurrence are considered rare complications manifesting as acute abdomen.
Case presentation:
A 33-year-old female with sickle cell disease and established cholelithiasis presented to the center with acute abdomen. After examination, investigation, and contrast enhanced computed tomography, acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. Conservative management was done and cholecystectomy was planned but delayed due to low hemoglobin. In the interval she presented again with similar features and diagnosed with of recurrence. After conservative management and after optimization of patient's hemodynamic status, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was finally performed. Postoperative period and follow-up visit after 2 months were uneventful.
Clinical discussion:
As the features of pancreatitis and vaso-occlusive crisis are similar, the former should be considered as a differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in sickle cell patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis in these patients. However, some issues related to management such as preoperative transfusion and prophylactic cholecystectomy are still debated. This uncertainty caused delay in surgery which may have contributed to the recurrence of pancreatitis in our patient. As the risk of recurrence is possible after the first attack, standard guidelines are required for the definite management of the cause.
Conclusion:
This case report adds to the limited literature on recurrent acute pancreatitis in sickle cell patients and points out the need for studies on developing management guidelines in such patients and need for prophylactic treatment.