Isolated pancreatic neck injury due to motorbike accident

Abstract

Isolated pancreatic injuries that result from blunt abdominal trauma are a rare occurrence due to the retroperitoneal location of the pancreas that shields the pancreas from trauma. The nonspecific clinical presentations of patients can delay the diagnosis and complicate the decision in patient care. It is crucial that a high degree of suspicion is maintained for pancreatic injuries in cases like this one. For optimal patient care, a multidisciplinary approach should be taken, and advanced imaging techniques, such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), should be used. The patient is a 26-year-old male who was involved in a motorbike accident. The patient was initially treated in a nearby small-town hospital. The patient was transferred to our medical facility four days after the accident took place due to clinical deterioration. He complained of severe generalized abdominal pain that was especially prominent in the left upper quadrant. Initial contrast-enhanced CT scans indicated a grade III full-thickness transection of the pancreatic body and tail. Despite the initial conservative treatment, the patient's hemodynamics were unstable, and the decision for surgical intervention was made. A distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed, and the patient's recovery was uneventful. This case points out the challenges that a physician might face when diagnosing isolated pancreatic injuries that result from blunt abdominal trauma. For an accurate diagnosis, advanced imaging techniques, such as contrast-enhanced CT, should be used. A multidisciplinary approach should be taken to provide the patient with optimal medical care. Finally, this study emphasizes the need for standardized transfer protocols in resource-limited settings.