Fracture of the pancreas in two patients after a go-kart accident.
BACKGROUND
After blunt abdominal trauma, an isolated injury to the pancreatic duct is uncommon. Physical signs and laboratory parameters are often inaccurate, and missing this diagnosis can cause serious clinical problems.


METHODS
Two young women (aged 18 and 20 years) are reported who sustained isolated trauma to the pancreatic duct in go-kart accidents. Each patient sustained a fracture of the pancreas.This injury was diagnosed only after a period of clinical observation with repeated laboratory parameters, ultrasound and CT scan. Pancreatic tissue was conserved by performing a pancreaticojejunostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
After any episode of blunt abdominal trauma, isolated injury to the pancreatic duct should be considered. Serum analysis, ultrasonography and CT scanning can be helpful in early diagnosis. Preservation of pancreatic tissue can be achieved with a good clinical outcome.
Govaert
M J
MJ
Department of Surgery, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ponsen
K J
KJ
de Jonge
L
L
de Wit
L T
LT
Obertop
H
H