We report four patients with pneumothorax as a complication of ERCP with sphincterotomy. With conservative treatment all patients recovered. Previously, 16 comparable cases have been reported in the literature. The main risk factor for this rare complication seems (pre-cut) sphincterotomy. Pneumothorax is usually right-sided or bilateral and accompanied by pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema. The prognosis seems favourable with a non-surgical approach including intravenous antibiotics, fasting and when indicated chest tube drainage.

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doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2150-3, hdl.handle.net/1765/37827
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Schepers, N., & van Buuren, H. (2012). Pneumothorax following ERCP: Report of four cases and review of the literature. Digestive Diseases and Sciences (Vol. 57, pp. 1990–1995). doi:10.1007/s10620-012-2150-3