Severe acute pancreatitis as a complication of COVID-19; a case report

Natan Muluberhan; Semir Abdi; Amanuel Alemayehu; Melaku Getachew

doi:10.18502/fem.v6i2.8720

Natan Muluberhan Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Semir Abdi Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Amanuel Alemayehu Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Melaku Getachew Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fem.v6i2.8720

Keywords: Case Reports; COVID-19; Pancreatitis; SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

COVID-19 is a multisystemic infectious disease that primarily affects the respiratory system. However, the involvement of extra-pulmonary systems has also been reported. We report a 25-year-old female patient who visited the emergency department with a four-day history of severe burning epigastric pain associated with vomiting. The patient was later diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis with concomitant severe COVID-19 based on clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings. The patient was managed with antibiotics, anticoagulation, and ventilatory support. Despite aggressive treatment efforts, the patient sustained cardiac arrest in the setting of refractory hypoxemia and passed away on day three of her hospitalization.