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.