The "negative chest radiograph" in acute pancreatitis.
Twenty-six patients with acute pancreatitis and normal chest radiographs on admission were studied. Twelve (46%) developed abnormalities in the first five days of illness. Twenty-four of the 25 patients tested developed an arterial pO2 of less than 10.6 kPa (80 mmHg) but severe hypoxia was present in a greater percentage of patients whose chest radiology became abnormal. Blood gases and chest radiographs should be checked on a regular basis in patients with acute pancreatitis.
D000208:Acute Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic