Acute Pancreatitis during SARS CoV 2 Infection

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19 is a systemic disease that can spread to all systems. Among the gastrointestinal manifestations, pancreatic involvement can have a major prognostic impact. We report 3 acute pancreatitis cases occurring during Covid-19, in Dakar. Case 1: 65-year-old woman who presented with intense atypical epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed obesity, high blood pressure and abdominal tenderness. Biological tests found increase CRP (134 mg/l) and lipasemia (312 UI/l). Abdominal CT scan showed findings of Balthazar grade C acute pancreatitis. RT-PCR for SARS CoV 2 RT-PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 2: 56-year-old woman patient with history of nephroangiosclerosis who presented with dyspnea, cough, fever and moderate epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness, high blood pressure, anuria. Biological testing, noted increase CRP (96 mg/l), lipasemia (793 UI/l), creatinine (227 mg/l) and urea (3.84 g/l). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 3: 27-year-old man who presented with physical asthenia, headache, and epigastric pain. Physical examination found epigastric tenderness. Elevated CRP level was of 102 mg/l and lipasemia level was of 427 UI/l (7N). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis can occur during Covid-19 infection. However, the imputability to the Covid-19 disease necessitates to rule out the most common causes.