Acute pancreatitis

Question 1

Cause of acute pancreatitis

Answer 1

Alcohol or gallstones

Question 2

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

Answer 2

Severe epigastric pain which may radiate to the back, vomiting common

Question 3

Examination of acute pancreatitis

Answer 3

Epigastric tenderness, ileus and low grade fever. Cullen’s sign, Grey-Turner’s sign

Question 4

Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis

Answer 4

Serum amylase, serum lipase and imaging (but not necessary for diagnosis)

Question 5

Factors indicating severe pancreatitis

Answer 5

Age >55, hypocalcaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypoxia, neutrophilia, elevated LDH and AST

Question 6

Management of acute pancreatitis

Answer 6

Fluid resus, analgesia, nil-by-mouth, or enteral nutrition.

Question 7

Indications for abx

Answer 7

Infected pancreatic necrosis

Question 8

Surgical option for gallstone cause of pancreatitis

Answer 8

Cholecystectomy

Question 9

Surgical option for obstructed biliary system due to stones

Answer 9

ERCP