In this article, we will discuss the Differential Diagnosis and Complications of Acute Pancreatitis. So, let’s get started.
Differential Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis includes the following conditions i.e.
- Perforated peptic ulcer
- Acute cholecystitis and biliary colic
- Acute intestinal obstruction
- Inferior myocardial infarction
- Mesentery vascular occlusion
- Dissecting aortic aneurysm
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Vasculitis
Complications
They are both local and systemic:
1. Local
- Pancreatic necrosis
- Pancreatic fluid collection, e.g. abscess, pseudocyst
- Pancreatic ascites
- Involvement of adjoining organs and vessels
- Obstructive jaundice
2. Systemic
- Pulmonary, e.g. pleural effusion, pneumonitis, ARDS, atelectasis and mediastinal abscess
- Renal, e.g. oliguria, azotemia, ATN (acute tubular necrosis) and renal artery/venous thrombosis
- Cardiovascular, e.g. hypotension, pericardial effusion and sudden death
- Hematological, e.g. disseminated intravascular coagulation
- GI hemorrhage, e.g. peptic ulcer disease, hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis, portal vein thrombosis
- Metabolic, e.g. hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypocalcemia and encephalopathy
- CNS, e.g. psychosis, fat emboli.
