What is the definition of “acute pancreatitis”?
➥ Acute pancreatitis → an acute process of enzymatic digestion of the pancreas by its own enzymes (self- digestion) with variable involvement of other regional tissues or remote organ systems.
What are two most common cause of acute pancreatitis?
- A wide range of etiologies (triggers) of acute pancreatitis are identified.
- More than 75% of cases are attributable to either
- Gallstones
- Alcohol
What is the gross pathology in edematous pancreatitis?
- In edematous pancreatitis the pancreas appears boggy and indurated.
What is the gross pathology in necrotizing pancreatitis?
- Necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe form of acute pancreatitis.
- Grossly, the pancreas first appears haemorrhagic and then becomes necrotic.
In general, what are the causes of systemic complications in acute pancreatitis?
- The systemic complications in acute pancreatitis are mediated by
- Digestive enzymes
- Inflammatory mediators
- Which are released from the injured pancreas- systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and distant organ failure can occur.
Which organ is most commonly and most severe affected as a systemic complication in acute pancreatitis?
➥ Lung
- Activated phospholipase A induces digestion of lecithin (important component of pulmonary surfactant) that play a role in pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that occurs in the setting of acute pancreatitis.
Which is the cardinal symptom of acute pancreatitis?
- The cardinal symptoms of acute pancreatitis are epigastric and/or periumbilical pain that radiates to the back.