[Acute pancreatitis as the presenting feature of an IgA vasculitis: An unusual presentation]

Abstract

Introduction: IgA vasculitis is a systemic small vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis characterized by skin purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis. Most of the abdominal complications are due to edema and hemorrhage in the small bowel wall, but rarely to acute secondary pancreatitis.

Case report: Here, we report a 53-year-old woman who presented with acute pancreatitis and, secondarily, developed skin purpura and arthritis at the seventh day of the clinical onset. Biological tests and computed tomographic scan allowed to rule out another cause of pancreatitis and IgA vasculitis was diagnosed as its etiology. The outcome was favorable without any relapse on glucocorticoids.

Conclusion: Despite its rarity, pancreatitis is a potential life-threatening complication of IgA vasculitis in which the role of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs remains uncertain. A prompt elimination of other usual pancreatitis etiologies is mandatory to improve the management of the patients.

Keywords: Henoch-Schönlein purpura; IgA vasculitis; Immunosuppresseurs; Immunosuppressive drugs; Pancreatitis; Pancréatite; Purpura rhumatoïde; Vascularite à IgA.