UC Riverside

Hiatal translocation of the pancreas is rare because of its retroperitoneal location. Acute pancreatitis as a complication of hiatal hernia is uncommon. A 33-year-old man presented for 2 days of worsening epigastric abdominal pain and substernal chest pain. Laboratory studies were essentially unremarkable; however, computed tomography demonstrated a large right-sided hiatal hernia containing the entire stomach and the body of the pancreas, with peripancreatic edema consistent with pancreatitis. Most cases can be managed conservatively; however, elective surgical repair is suggested in severe cases or patients with low surgical risk.