Jaundice caused by a pancreatic mass - An exceptional presentation of Crohn's disease

Citation
H. Reynaert et al., Jaundice caused by a pancreatic mass - An exceptional presentation of Crohn's disease, J CLIN GAST, 32(3), 2001, pp. 255-258
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY
ISSN journal
01920790 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
255 - 258
Database
ISI
SICI code
0192-0790(200103)32:3<255:JCBAPM>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
It is well known that Crohn's disease can involve the pancreas. However, gr anulomatous inflammation of the pancreas causing jaundice is extremely rare . In this report, we describe a patient presenting with jaundice in whom a Whipple procedure was performed because of the suspicion of a malignant pan creatic tumor. However, on histologic examination a benign granulomatous pa ncreatic mass was found, Further investigations revealed no other organ inv olvement and no underlying disease could be identified. Therefore, the tent ative diagnosis of an idiopathic inflammatory pseudotumor was made. Only 6 months later, when the patient developed bloody diarrhea, Crohn's disease w as diagnosed. This case stresses that, especially in young patients, Crohn' s disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of benign common bile duct strictures even if no other symptoms of Crohn's disease are pres ent.