Pancreatitis

Question 1

What is pancreatitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the pancreas

Question 2

How does acute pancreatitis happen?

Answer 2

Pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) attack the pancreas

Question 3

How is pancreatitis diagnosed?

Answer 3

Amylase 3x normal and clinical picture

Question 4

Why might amylase not rise in acute-on-chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 4

Pancreas might not be able to produce amylase

Question 5

What are the three main causes of pancreatitis?

Answer 5

Gallstones
Alcohol
Post-ERCP

Question 6

How are gallstones visualised?

Answer 6

USS

Question 7

Name all the causes of pancreatitis.

Answer 7

Gallstones
Ethanol
Trauma

Steroids
Mumps
Autoimmune
Scorpions
Hypercalcaemia/lipidaemia
ERCP
Drugs

Question 8

How might severity of acute pancreatitis be determined?

Answer 8

Modified Glasgow-Imrie Criteria

Question 9

What are the criteria of the Modified Glasgow-Imrie Criteria?

Answer 9

P – PaO2 < 8kPa
A – Age > 55
N – Neutrophils (WBC > 15)
C – Calcium < 2
R – uRea >16
E – Enzymes (LDH > 600 or AST/ALT >200)
A – Albumin < 32
S – Sugar (Glucose >10)

Question 10

What Modified Glasgow-Imrie Score indicates severe pancreatitis?

Answer 10

3+

Question 11

What are the complications of pancreatitis?

Answer 11

• Pancreatic necrosis
• Infection/abscess
• Pseudocysts
• Chronic pancreatitis

Question 12

How is acute pancreatitis treated?

Answer 12

• Fluids and analgesia
• ABx if infected necrosis
• Abscess/infection/pseudocyst drainage/removal