Ultrasound in the management of acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Patients [38] were examined by ultrasound when symptoms or signs suggested the development of a pseudocyst following an attack of proven acute pancreatitis. Pseudocyst was diagnosed in 23 of the 38 cases. Five patients had multilocular cysts, 4 of which were shown to be communicating. Laparotomy was carried out on 14 of the 23 patients, and surgical drainage was performed in 12 cases. The remaining 9 cases were monitored and showed steady regression. Small cysts arising in the head of pancreas may give rise to recurrent or persistent pancreatitis and may be demonstrated pre-operatively by ultrasound but not readily by other means. A further 12 patients showed an area of irregular absorption of ultrasound interpreted as an inflammatory mass. Monitoring of these cases showed progressive resolution without cyst formation. Three of these cases subsequently required laparotomy, one developed an abscess and one necrosis of the body and tail of pancreas, while a third developed severe pancreatic fibrosis of the area identified by ultrasound. The ability to distinguish between pseudocysts and inflammatory masses and to demonstrate communication between multiple cysts was of considerable value in pre-operative diagnosis.