Intrabiliary Acetylcysteine Infusion for Biliary Obstruction in a Case of Chronic Pancreatitis with Pancreatic Head IPMN

Successful biliary drainage in case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) with thick mucus by ERCP and internal drainage alone is usually inadequate. The mucolytic properties of acetylcysteine can offer a therapeutic benefit in this setting. We report a 50-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis and IPMN who had recurrent episodes of biliary obstruction due to mucous occlusion, despite multiple stent exchanges. A nasobiliary catheter was placed and infusion of acetylcysteine was performed which resulted in significant improvement of jaundice. He later underwent surgery after nutritional rehabilitation. This case report highlights the role of intrabiliary acetylcysteine infusions for mucous occlusions in IPMN.