Emphysematous pancreatitis
Updates to Article Attributes
Emphysematous pancreatitis is an unusual complication of acute pancreatitis caused by necrotising infection of the pancreas. It is associated with gas-forming bacteria and characterized by the presence of gas within or around the pancreas.
Pathology
Infection with gas-forming bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfrigens, Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas spp. Gas associated with infection is generally thought to consist of carbon dioxide and nitrogen secondary to the fermentation of glucose by some species of bacteria.
Staging
Emphysematous pancreatitis fits into the characterisation of necrotising pancreatitis in the Balthazar score and thus corroborates the highest score in the CT severity index (CTSI).
Radiographic features
Computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice because of its sensitivity and specificity in detecting gas bubbles.
Treatment and prognosis
This condition carries a high mortality rate. Percutaneous drainage of the fluid collection and, if there is no clinical response to support measures, surgical resection of the infected necrotic tissue.
Differential diagnosis
- atmospheric air introduced by recent instrumentation or surgery (e.g. post-ERCP)
- enteric fistula formation and reflux from the adjacent hollow viscus
-<p><strong>Emphysematous pancreatitis</strong> is an unusual complication of <a href="/articles/acute-pancreatitis">acute pancreatitis</a> caused by <a href="/articles/necrotising-pancreatitis">necrotising</a> infection of the pancreas. It is associated with gas-forming bacteria and characterized by the presence of gas within or around the pancreas. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Infection with gas-forming bacteria such as <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Clostridium perfrigens</em>, <em>Staphylococcus spp</em>, <em>Streptococcus spp</em>, <em>Klebsiella spp</em> and <em>Pseudomonas spp</em>. Gas associated with infection is generally thought to consist of carbon dioxide and <a href="/articles/nitrogen">nitrogen</a> secondary to the fermentation of glucose by some species of bacteria.</p><h4>Staging</h4><p>Emphysematous pancreatitis fits into the characterisation of necrotising pancreatitis in the <a href="/articles/balthazar-score">Balthazar score</a> and thus corroborates the highest score in the <a href="/articles/ct-severity-index-in-acute-pancreatitis-3">CT severity index (CTSI)</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice because of its sensitivity and specificity in detecting gas bubbles.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>This condition carries a high mortality rate. <a href="/articles/ultrasound-guided-percutaneous-drainage">Percutaneous drainage</a> of the fluid collection and, if there is no clinical response to support measures, surgical resection of the infected necrotic tissue.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul>- +<p><strong>Emphysematous pancreatitis</strong> is an unusual complication of <a href="/articles/acute-pancreatitis">acute pancreatitis</a> caused by <a href="/articles/necrotising-pancreatitis">necrotising</a> infection of the pancreas. It is associated with gas-forming bacteria and characterized by the presence of gas within or around the pancreas. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Infection with gas-forming bacteria such as <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Clostridium perfrigens</em>, <em>Staphylococcus spp</em>, <em>Streptococcus spp</em>, <em>Klebsiella spp</em> and <em>Pseudomonas spp</em>. Gas associated with infection is generally thought to consist of carbon dioxide and <a href="/articles/nitrogen">nitrogen</a> secondary to the fermentation of glucose by some species of bacteria.</p><h5>Staging</h5><p>Emphysematous pancreatitis fits into the characterisation of necrotising pancreatitis in the <a href="/articles/balthazar-score">Balthazar score</a> and thus corroborates the highest score in the <a href="/articles/ct-severity-index-in-acute-pancreatitis-3">CT severity index (CTSI)</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice because of its sensitivity and specificity in detecting gas bubbles.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>This condition carries a high mortality rate. <a href="/articles/ultrasound-guided-percutaneous-drainage">Percutaneous drainage</a> of the fluid collection and, if there is no clinical response to support measures, surgical resection of the infected necrotic tissue.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul>
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