Pancreatitis

Question 0

Importance of doing urine amylase when doing serum amylase

Answer 0

Useful if serum amylase is only moderately elevated

usually 5x elevated level

Question 1

Causes of acute pancreatitis

Answer 1

GETSMASHED

G - Gallstones
E - Ethanol 
T - Trauma 
S - Steroids
M - Mumps
A - Autoimmune
S - Scorpion stings
H - Hyper- lipidaemia/calcaemia
E - ERCP
D - Drugs (SAND --> Steroids, Azathioprine, NSAIDS, Diuertics)

Question 2

Other causes of raised serum amylase

Answer 2

PI TIE

P - Perforated peptic ulcer
I - Intestinal Obstruction
T - Traumatic bowel perforation
I - Intestinal infarction
E- Ectopic pregnancy

Question 3

Consequences of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 3

• Endocrine dysfunction (DM)
• Exocrine dysfunction (LOW, manutrition)
• Pain
• Leakage of pancreatic fluid (ascites or pseudocysts)
• Obstruction (bile duct, duodenum)

Question 4

Treatment for acute pancreatitis

Answer 4

MACHINES:

M - Monitor vital signs
A - Analgesia/Antibiotics
C - Calcium gluconate (if deemed necessary)
H - H2 receptor antagonist
I - IV fluids
N - NPO
E - Empty gastric contents
S - Surgery (cholecystectomy)