Hemosuccus Pancreaticus: A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Child With Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis and Splenic Artery Aneurysm
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, most commonly occurring in patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis. Other etiologies, such as pancreatic pseudocysts, pancreatic tumors, or iatrogenic injury from endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), can also lead to wirsungorrhagia (bleeding from the ampulla of Vater), as described in hemosuccus pancreaticus. We present the case of a child with acute lymphocytic leukemia who developed recurrent acute pancreatitis due to repeated treatment with Oncaspar, complicated by a pseudocyst and splenic artery aneurysm. His hospital course was further complicated by intermittent, massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to hemosuccus pancreaticus. This case raises awareness and suspicion of hemosuccus pancreaticus, particularly in patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis. It also emphasizes the need for thorough investigation, given the rarity and diagnostic challenges of this condition. Additionally, we describe appropriate management through angiography and embolization of the splenic artery aneurysm, which successfully controlled the bleeding source.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80863
Authors: Fatima I Hsayan, Mohamad Al Ayoubi, Amani El Abed, Jennifer Abi Younes, Antoine S Geagea
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408676190