The usefulness of dynamic transabdominal ultrasound in acute pancreatitis

Introduction: the evolution of acute pancreatitis (AP), frequently an unpredictable disease, is determined by the possibility of appearance of complications. The aim of this study was to assess if transabdominal ultrasound is a useful method for the follow up of patients with AP.

Materials and methods: we have studied 100 patients with AP admitted in our department between 04.2006–03.2007. For all these cases we have followed: demographical aspects, aetiology of pancreatitis, severity and ultrasound aspect dynamically.

Results: from the 100 patients 38 were female and 62 male, with mean age 53.3±15.7 years. In 35 cases we had biliary pancreatitis, in 37 ethanolic pancreatitis and 28 cases had other aetiology. 37 cases presented a mild form of AP, 34 moderate and 29 severe forms. In 79 cases the initial ultrasound examination had not revealed specific modification, while in 6 cases we found a hyperechoic bursa omentalis, in 5 cases intraabdominal liquid and in 10 cases we discovered pancreatic and peripancreatic collections from the beginning. The ultrasound follow up of the patients with no specific aspects in the beginning showed in 12 cases the appearance of collections or intraabdominal liquid, and in 2 cases the hyperechoic aspect of the bursa omentalis. 20 cases had PCR over 150mg% (severe forms), and 13 of these had collections secondary to AP. In conclusion the ultrasound, a quite cheep imaging method, was useful when used for the follow up of patients with AP, for the detection of those cases that have developed complications.