Acute-on-chronic pancreatitis

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Colicky upper abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male

Pancreatic swelling, predominantly involving the head, with peripancreatic fat stranding, occurs on a background of coarse pancreatic calcifications. No ductal dilatation. Homogeneous enhancement with no evidence of necrosis. No peripancreatic fluid collection. 

Case Discussion

There are features of both acute pancreatitis (swelling, peripancreatic fat stranding prominent nodes) as well as chronic pancreatitis (multifocal calcifications). Lipase was elevated and the patient had an uncomplicated recovery.

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