COVID-19-associated severe acute pancreatitis: A rare presentation

Abstract

As the knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing day by day, we are learning about various manifestations of COVID-19. The disease is a systemic illness that also involves the gastrointestinal system including the pancreas. Here, we report the case of a 14-year-old girl who presented with a pancreatic type of pain abdomen. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) based on clinical symptoms, ≥3 times the elevation of serum amylase, and imaging evidence of AP. Her Bedside Index of Severity in AP was 2/5 and the Modified Computed Tomography Severity Index was 10/10. She had positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19. Her workup for common and rare causes of AP was negative. She was managed conservatively as per standard protocol for the management of AP. The aim of this case is to highlight the importance of causal association of COVID-19 with AP.

Keywords

• acute pancreatitis
• amylase
• coronavirus disease 2019
• computed tomography severity index
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2