A Fatal Cascade Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) Complicated by Pancreatitis, Duodenal Perforation, Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage, and Multi-organ Failure
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that carries inherent risks, with pancreatitis being a significant complication. While most cases resolve without major sequelae, severe complications can occur. A 65-year-old female with a history of pancreatitis developed post-ERCP pancreatitis following stent placement. The patient subsequently presented with walled-off fluid collections and experienced a catastrophic course complicated by duodenal perforation, severe hemorrhage, and multi-organ dysfunction, ultimately resulting in mortality. This case emphasizes the potential for life-threatening complications following post-ERCP pancreatitis and underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention in managing these patients.
Authors
- Bharath Bhushan
- Vikash Kumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2389-066X)
- Eric C. Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8745-0025)
- Sharath Rajagopalan
- Leonard R Maier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8347-1358)
Institutions
- West Virginia University (US)
- West Virginia University Hospitals (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2025-06-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.86983
- Primary Topic
- Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00