From Treatment to Trigger: Steroid-Induced Pancreatitis in the Setting of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Steroid-induced pancreatitis (SIP) is a relatively uncommon diagnosis, as the main function of glucocorticoids is to decrease cellular inflammation and modulate the immune system. It is a diagnosis of exclusion with a multifactorial pathophysiology and can occur in the setting of treatment with steroids for various underlying conditions. While difficult to diagnose, it can cause patients great discomfort and lead to several complications if missed or treated inappropriately. We seek to highlight a case of SIP in a patient with leukocytoclastic vasculitis who was treated with intravenous and oral steroid therapy, with a clear progression of her pancreatitis seen in serial abdominal imaging.