A Patient with Chronic Pancreatitis in whom Transpapillary Pancreatic Drainage was Successfully Performed by the Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Rendezvous Technique

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed in a 69-year-old man with epigastric pain, who was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a stone in the pancreatic head, accompanied by dilatation of the main pancreatic ducts in the pancreatic body and tail. Transpapillary pancreatic stenting was attempted to relieve pain. However, a guidewire could not be advanced into the pancreatic tail because of severe pancreatic duct stenosis. Stenting was abandoned, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD) was performed. Subsequently, a guidewire was advanced into the duodenum by the rendezvous technique via the EUS-PD route. Transpapillary pancreatic stenting was successful. The EUS-guided rendezvous technique is a useful salvage treatment when it is difficult to place a stent in the pancreatic duct.