Published online May 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i13.3114
Peer-review started: November 15, 2020
First decision: January 27, 2021
Revised: February 8, 2021
Accepted: March 3, 2021
Article in press: March 3, 2021
Published online: May 6, 2021
Processing time: 158 Days and 10 Hours
Bezoars are conglomerates of indigestible foreign material that can be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal perforation, and intestinal obstruction are the main complications. Acute pancreatitis secondary to bezoar is rare. Here, we present a rare case of a migratory gastric bezoar complicated by acute pancreatitis and small bowel obstruction after dissolution therapy.
A-65-year-old woman underwent gastroscopy because of epigastric pain, which revealed a huge bezoar and a gastric ulcer 10 d prior. The patient was discharged with a prescription of drinking 1 L Coca-Cola daily for 6 d, without repeat gastroscopy. However, she suddenly developed epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting for 3 d. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mild inflammation of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed no abnormalities in the pancreatic duct or common bile duct. The nasogastric tube still showed drainage of more than 1.6 L of dark fluid each day after symptomatic treatment. Abdominal CT re-examination suggested intestinal obstruction. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a huge yellowish hard mass in the jejunal lumen, and we used the basket and net to fragment the bezoar. She was discharged with a good outcome.
Endoscopic therapy is the first choice for gastric bezoars. When mechanical disintegration cannot be achieved, timing of repeat endoscopy is important during Coca-Cola dissolution therapy.
Core Tip: Coca-Cola dissolution therapy is as an easy, safe, and cost-effective option for gastric bezoars. Acute pancreatitis and small intestinal obstruction secondary to a migratory gastric bezoar during Coca-Cola dissolution therapy has not been previously reported. Here, we report a case of acute pancreatitis and small bowel obstruction caused by a migratory gastric bezoar after dissolution therapy.