Acute pancreatitis
Summary
In the United States, acute pancreatitis is the most common reason for hospitalization due to a gastrointestinal illness, with over 200 000 patients admitted annually. The two most common risk factors for acute pancreatitis are gallstone disease and excessive alcohol use. Successful management of pancreatitis depends on prediction of disease severity and the identification of patients who are at risk for local and systemic complications. Imaging is frequently recommended to confirm the clinical diagnosis, ascertain the cause, and grade the extent and severity of acute pancreatitis. Assessment for potential of gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis should be given top priority because of its management implications. Cholecystectomy for gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis should be performed using a laparoscopic procedure after resolution of acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography plays an important role in imaging of patients with acute pancreatitis, the identification of complications, and assessing the response to treatment.
