Untitled

Abstract

Pancreatitis is a common adverse reaction to asparaginase and a reason for drug discontinuation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Diagnostic criteria include elevated pancreatic enzymes, abdominal symptoms and/ or imaging findings suggestive of pancreatitis. There is no specific treatment, but in a few reports, octreotide seems to be an effective drug in reducing acute complications and mortality. Here we describe the case of a child who developed asparaginase-induced necrotizing pancreatitis, successfully treated with octreotide. A review of the literature indicated that evidence of necrotizing pancreatitis markedly increases the risk of acute and chronic complications, and patients who received octreotide usually improved without surgical intervention.