Wirsungorrhagia or hemoductal pancreatitis: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

An unusual case of gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to rupture of the splenic artery into the pancreatic duct in a patient with chronic pancreatitis is described. The diagnosis was suspected by observing blood coming from the papilla of Vater during duodenoscopy and corroborated by findings seen on splenic arteriography. Previously reported cases are reviewed. An etiology is discussed and a classification suggested. This obscure cause of gastrointestinal bleeding should be suspected when the more common causes of bleeding have been satisfactorily ruled out.