Pancreas

Question 1

causes of acute pancreatitis

Answer 1

I GET SMASHED (causes of acute pancreatitis)

Iatrogenic

Gallstones
Ethanol
Trauma

Steroids
Mumps, EBV
Autoimmune
Scorpion bite
Hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesteraemia, hypothermia
ERCP
Drugs (SAND - steroids & sulfonamides, azathioprine, NSAIDS, diuretics such as furosemide and thiazides, & didanosine)
Duodenal ulcers

Question 2

causes of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 2

PACE (causes of chronic pancreatitis)

Pancreas divisum (congenital)
Autoimmune
Cystic fibrosis
Ethanol, chronic abuse

Question 3

Ranson criteria for pancreatitis

Answer 3

GALAW [0h] - C&HOBBS [48h] (Ranson criteria for pancreatitis)

Glucose >200
AST > 250
LDH > 350
Age > 55
WBC > 16000

Calcium < 2 mmol/L
Hct drop > 10%
Oxygen < 60 mm
BUN rise > 0.9 mmol/L
Base deficit > 4
Sequestration of fluid > 6 L

If the score ≥ 3, severe pancreatitis likely.
If the score < 3, severe pancreatitis is unlikely
Or
Score 0 to 2 : 2% mortality
Score 3 to 4 : 15% mortality
Score 5 to 6 : 40% mortality
Score 7 to 8 : 100% mortality.

Question 4

complications of acute pancreatitis

Answer 4

GRASS-hoppers [early] NAP [late] (complications of acute pancreatitis)

Glucose elevated
Renal failure
ARDS
Sepsis
Shock

Necrosis of pancreas
Abscess
Pseudocysts