Abstract

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. However, idiopathic causes comprise about 10 to 15% of all cases of acute pancreatitis. Biliary sludge is thought to be a cause of idiopathic acute pancreatitis and mainly via obstruction of the common bile duct. Cholesterol polyps of the gallbladder, cholesterolosis and hemobilia can be associated with biliary pain. Fragments of the gallbladder polyps and blood clots can lead to acute pancreatitis in a way similar to that of biliary sludge. Yet it has never been reported that the necrotic tissue of gallbladder cancer can lead to acute pancreatitis. Herein, we report on the case of a 52-year-old man with acute pancreatitis that was caused by the necrotic tissue of gallbladder cancer. The necrotic tissue in the bile duct was revealed on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The patient was successfully treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy along with liver segmentectomy. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2011;42:131-135)

• Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, Gallbladder cancer, ERCP