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Review
. 2018 Mar 9:11:77-85.
doi: 10.2147/JIR.S135751. eCollection 2018.

Acute pancreatitis: current perspectives on diagnosis and management

Adarsh P Shah  1 , Moustafa M Mourad  1 , Simon R Bramhall  1
Affiliations
Review

Acute pancreatitis: current perspectives on diagnosis and management

Adarsh P Shah et al. J Inflamm Res. .

Abstract

The last two decades have seen the emergence of significant evidence that has altered certain aspects of the management of acute pancreatitis. While most cases of acute pancreatitis are mild, the challenge remains in managing the severe cases and the complications associated with acute pancreatitis. Gallstones are still the most common cause with epidemiological trends indicating a rising incidence. The surgical management of acute gallstone pancreatitis has evolved. In this article, we revisit and review the methods in diagnosing acute pancreatitis. We present the evidence for the supportive management of the condition, and then discuss the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis. Based on the evidence, our local institutional pathways, and clinical experience, we have produced an outline to guide clinicians in the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis.

Keywords: acute pancreatitis; diagnostic imaging; management of gallstone pancreatitis; severity scoring.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A flowchart encompassing the patient’s journey from diagnosis of acute pancreatitis through to further investigation and definitive management. Abbreviations: CBD, common bile duct; CT, computed tomography; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; HIDA, fatty meal hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan; LFT, liver function test; MRCP, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; TUS, transabdominal ultrasound.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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