[Recurrent acute idiopathic pancreatitis. Look for a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine].

INTRODUCTION

Among the new identified causes of so-called idiopathic acute pancreatitis are chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine.

OBSERVATION: A 21 year-old man was hospitalised for the third episode of unexplained acute pancreatitis. Digestive endoscopies revealed an ulcerated terminal ileitis compatible with Crohn's disease.

DISCUSSION: The frequency of idiopathic pancreatitis in patients exhibiting a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine is of around 1%. Pancreatic involvement may precede the digestive manifestations of Crohn's disease and its clinical expression varies. An auto-immune mechanism appears to be responsible.