ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Question 1

What is acute Pancreatitis?

Answer 1

Sudden inflammation of the pancreas

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of Acute Pancreatitis?

Answer 2

Digestive enzymes become activated while in the pancreas causing irritation and inflammation

Question 3

What are the causes of Acute Pancreatitis (GET SMASHED)?

Answer 3

Gallstones
Ethanol
Trauma

Steroids
Mumps
Autoimmune disease
Scorpion Venom
Hypercalcaemia
ERCP
Drugs (Diuretics, NSAIDs)

Question 4

What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?

Answer 4

Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Anorexia
Diarrhoea
Indigestion

Question 5

What are the signs of acute pancreatitis?

Answer 5

Constant epigastric pain radiating to the back (worsen on movement)

Tachycardia

Tachypnoea

Jaundice

Dull Percussion

Cullen’s sign (bruising around the umbilicus)

Grey Turner’s sign (bruising around the flank)

Question 6

Which blood test would you do to investigate Acute Pancreatitis?

Answer 6

SERUM LIPASE OR AMYLASE: 3x upper limit

FBC: high haematocrit and leukocytosis

LFT: high ALT and Bilirubin

U&E: hypocalcaemia

CRP: higher than 200units/L

Question 7

Which scan is done for Suspected Acute Pancreatitis?

Answer 7

CT or ULTRASOUND of abdomen

Confirms or eliminates gallstones

Shows inflamed pancreas, fat around the pancreas, calcification, fluid collection

Question 8

How is Acute Pancreatitis treated?

Answer 8

IV fluid, Ibuprofen and oxygen to begin

put on a low fat soft or solid diet once pain stops

Remove gallstone (ERCP) or cholecystectomy