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Ascaris is a common cause of acute pancreatitis in developing countries. The mechanism of ascariasis induced acute pancreatitis include obstruction of papilla of Vater, invasion of common bile duct, or pancreatic duct (PD). PD ascariasis is a rare diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound is a highly accurate method to diagnose the aetiology of idiopathic acute pancreatitis with reference to biliary and pancreatic ascariasis. Treatment usually consist of endoscopic removal of worms with dormia basket or forceps on side viewing endoscopy. Ascaris induced pancreatitis is generally mild and worm extraction is associated with rapid relief of symptoms. We present a case of PD ascariasis diagnosed on endoscopic ultrasound., (Copyright © 2018 Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ascariasis is the commonest helminthic disease to infect humans. Due to their wandering nature, the roundworms from the second part of the duodenum migrate through the biliary opening into the hepatobiliary and pancreatic ducts. Ascariasis is the most common parasitic cause of pancreatitis in endemic region. Pancreatitis can result due to pancreatic ascariasis, biliary ascariasis or both. Pancreatitis due to ascariasis can be severe and life-threatening. We present a pictorial essay of acute pancreatitis due to ascariasis on four cases.

Context: Ascaris lumbricoides is the second most common intestinal parasite world-wide and, although the infection can be asymptomatic, in some cases it can present with complications, such as acute pancreatitis., Case Report: We describe the case of a 37-year-old man, with a history of travelling in Eastern countries who presented with Ascaris lumbricoides-induced acute pancreatitis mimicking a small pancreatic cancer, diagnosed during an upper EUS. The endoscopy revealeda roundworm floating in the duodenum; its endoultrasonographic appearance showed a diffuse inhomogeneous pattern, with hypoechoic echotexture, such as in acute pancreatitis. Microbiological examination of the worm revealed a 20 cm long Ascaris lumbricoides., Conclusion: In non endemic countries, acute pancreatitis induced by Ascaris lumbricoides is an unusual diagnosis, and should be suspected especially in patients with history of traveling in endemic areas.

We report the case of a 19-year old boy presenting in the emergency with severe epigastric pain whose biochemical tests revealed elevated serum amylase and lipase levels and a clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made. On ultrasonic examination, the pancreas appeared bulky with a linear tubular echogenic worm (ascaris) seen within the prominent main pancreatic duct. Successful removal of the pancreatic duct worm was achieved through endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP).

Aim of the Study: To indicate options in a surgical university team in Vietnam for treatment of ascaris-induced acute pancreatitis., Patients and Methods: From January 1998 to April 2001, 33 patients (mean age 46 years) were admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis based on elevated serum amylase in 29 patients (88%), and elevated urinary amylase in all patients and a compatible clinical picture. The pancreatic ultrasonography was abnormal in 79% of cases. Biliary and pancreatic ultrasonography shown ascaris in 31 patients (94%). In other two patients ascaris was detected with duodenal endoscopy., Results: In 24 patients, the worms from the duodenum and/or across the ampullary orifice was trapped and withdrawn during duodenoscopy and failed in three patients. Nine patients were operated on, three after failure of endoscopic treatment, five for lithiasis of the common bile duct associated to the ascariasis, and one for necrotic pancreatitis. Seven patients operated on underwent a choledocotomy with a T-tube drainage, two patients underwent a left pancreatectomy to withdraw the ascaris, and one patient a resection of pancreatic necrosis. All patients recovered without complications except the patient with a necrotic pancreatitis who developed a pancreatic fistula for 23 days. Mean discharge times were 5.6 days after endoscopic treatment and 12.2 days after surgery. Effective antihelminthic therapy was administered in all patients., Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment was effective in 24 out of 33 patients. Surgery was indicated for failures of endoscopic treatment, association of ascariasis and common bile duct stones, migration of ascaris in intra pancreatic duct, and pancreatic necrosis.

We describe the sonographic diagnosis of Ascaris-induced acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis in a 2-year-old girl. Abdominal sonography revealed a grossly distended gallbladder with a thick (0.5-cm) wall. The common bile duct was dilated to 0.6 cm without sludge or calculi. The pancreas was hypoechoic, with an enlarged, 3.3-cm pancreatic head. Sonography showed dilatation of the small- and large-bowel loops, with multiple roundworms in duodenal and colonic loops. Sonography has an important role not only in the diagnosis of this uncommon condition but also in the documentation of its unusual etiologic agent., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

A 10-year-old girl was admitted for abdominal pain for 1 week. Morning vomiting with 5 Ascaris and diarrhea with Ascaris were found. Radiograph of the abdomen disclosed no significant abnormality. Abdominal sonogram revealed a normal biliary tree; but mildly enlarged pancreatic thickness, and thickened gallbladder wall. Within the thickened gallbladder wall a linear echogenic structure with worm-like movement suspected of being Ascaris was found. We report this case because pediatric pancreatitis and a gallbladder wall thickened with worm-movement have rarely been reported. Urgent treatment and surgery are required for the very ill child with a tensely distended abdomen or signs of peritoneal irritation. Early diagnosis is very important to prevent further complications. We emphasize the role of sonography in the diagnosis of this case and the prevention of progressive deterioration.

Acute pancreatitis due to ascaris lumbricoides infestation is extraordinarily uncommon in Europe. The diagnosis can be difficult because of the low index of suspicion in our area, and this may lead to death. The case of a Columbian patient living in Spain who developed an acute pancreatitis is discussed. He had no history of alcohol abuse, gallstones, or drug abuse. The sonography showed a longitudinal structure with inner parallel linear bands and undulant movements inside the gallbladder and a hypoechogenic pancreas. These features are compatible with acute pancreatitis secondary to Ascaris lumbricoides infestation. The patient was treated with mebendazole and his evolution was excellent. Sonography was useful as an assessment modality during follow-up. We conclude that Ascaris lumbricoides should be recalled as a rare cause of acute pancreatitis in Western countries. Sonography allows early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

To assess the usefulness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) in the study of acute pancreatitis, 101 of a possible 114 patients (89 per cent) with acute pancreatitis underwent ERCP after recovery from acute illness. In 81 per cent, ERCP was performed within two weeks of recovery. The biliary tract was successfully demonstrated in 87 per cent of the patients and the pancreatic duct in 73 per cent. Roentgenograms of the biliary tract showed stones in the gallbladder in 40 per cent of the patients and in 36 per cent in the biliary ducts. In addition, the gallbladder was not visualized in nine patients. In eight of those patients, the gallbladder was subsequently shown to be abnormal. Other findings of the biliary system included one patient each with clonorchiasis, ascariasis and malignant disease. Changes in the pancreatic duct were detected in 11 per cent of the patients. Most of the changes were consistent with acute or chronic pancreatitis. Minimal morbidity was encountered. ERCP is very accurate in identifying the biliary causes of pancreatitis. In areas where a significant proportion of acute pancreatitis has biliary causes, it should be performed upon all patients soon after resolution of the acute illness to identify those patients who will benefit from early operation upon the biliary tract.