Peripancreatic vascular occlusions as a complication of pancreatitis.

In the case records of patients with a pancreatic inflammatory state (1,268 patients) during a 15-year period (1972-1986) we found 11 patients, who were diagnosed as having vascular obstruction in association with pancreatitis. The incidence was thus found to be 0.9%. This incidence was three times higher in chronic than in acute pancreatitis. Vessels near the head of the gland were the most frequently affected. Arteries predominated (64%). A laparotomy had been previously performed on seven patients. Thus manipulation of the pancreas may be an important co-factor in pathogenesis. Ten patients (91%) died. Only four (36%) were correctly diagnosed before autopsy. The diagnostics and clinical implications of various forms of vascular occlusions with pancreatitis are discussed.