Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, classified as acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis most commonly results from gallstones (biliary pancreatitis) or alcohol use, and presents with severe epigastric pain, elevated serum lipase and amylase, nausea, and vomiting. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging for suspected acute pancreatitis and biliary etiology evaluation, assessing for gallstones, pancreatic enlargement, peripancreatic fluid collections, and pseudocyst formation. Chronic pancreatitis from recurrent inflammation leads to pancreatic parenchymal calcifications (visible as echogenic foci on ultrasound), ductal dilation (main pancreatic duct >3 mm), and ultimately exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.
Associated Anatomy: Pancreas
Signs & Symptoms: Severe epigastric pain, elevated lipase/amylase, nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness
ICD-10: K85