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Acute pancreatitis

Case contributed by Nikhil Rao
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Epigastric pain, radiating to the back.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male
ct

Within the abdomen there is ascites with fluid seen superior to the liver. The pancreas appears swollen but does enhance uniformly and there is significant edema in the peri-pancreatic and retro-peritoneal fat throughout the abdomen. The free fluid is seen tracking to a collection within the pelvis. No definite abscess or pseudocyst collection seen.

There is hydronephrosis of the atrophic right kidney. Left nephrectomy noted. The transplant kidney is in the right iliac fossa and is unobstructed. Gas is seen throughout the colon and small bowel in keeping with an ileus but no definite bowel obstruction.

Case Discussion

This patient was 5 days post laparoscopic cholecystectomy after an attack of biliary colic and was admitted with severe epigastric pain and tenderness. The features are in keeping with acute pancreatitis. He was treated conservatively on the ward in the HDU.

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