Acute pancreatitis

acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas that may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. Gallstones and alcohol abuse are the main causes of acute pancreatitis. Severe abdominal pain is the predominant symptom

acute pancreatitis

The pancreas is visualized nicely in the above ultrasound images and appears swollen, edematous and hypoechoic. These findings suggest acute pancreatitis. If left untreated, it may become chronic with the pancreas appearing hyperechoic. A pancreatic pseudocyst may also develop. Images courtesy of Dr. Gunjan Puri, India.