Pancreatolithiasis: Does Management Depend on Clinical Manifestations?

BACKGROUND Pancreatic calculi (PC) or pancreatolithiasis refers to the presence of stones in the main pancreatic duct (MPD), side branches, or parenchyma of the pancreas. It is highly associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and is present in 50-90% of those patients. The stone formation can be attributed to a diversity of factors, all of them leading to obstruction in the duct, hypertension of its distal part, increased intraductal and parenchymal pressure, and inflammation, causing the standard symptom, epigastric pain. Immediate restoration of pancreatic secretion flow is of utmost importance and can be achieved with both endoscopic and surgical techniques. Endoscopic techniques include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined, if possible, with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), while surgical techniques consist of drainage and resection procedures. The choice of treatment for PC depends on the location, size, and number of stones, and the existence of other complications. CASE REPORT We present 2 cases that were diagnosed with PC, in which clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and imaging examinations were different, suggesting the variety of manifestations pancreatolithiasis can cause. Each patient was treated differently, according to their clinical situation and the presence or absence of complications. Both patients were discharged and fully recovered. CONCLUSIONS The management of pancreatolithiasis can be demanding in some cases, mostly when there are complications. The purpose of this case report is to indicate the importance of personalized treatment for each patient, as different approaches to the same medical condition should be easily identified and successfully treated.