Pancreatic necrosis: an early finding in severe acute pancreatitis.
Despite the clinical importance of pancreatic necrosis in the course of acute pancreatitis, little is known about when it develops. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a reliable parameter with a high deduction rate for pancreatic necrosis. We analyzed 199 patients with acute pancreatitis. The development of pancreatic necrosis was ascertained by a daily measurement of serum CRP in 45 patients with contrast-enhanced computed tomographic-proven necrotizing pancreatitis. In all 45 cases, the criteria for pancreatic necrosis were satisfied within the first 4 days of the onset of symptoms. This indicates that pancreatic necrosis is an early finding that develops within hours.
Isenmann
R
R
Department of Surgery, University of Ulm, Germany.
Büchler
M
M
Uhl
W
W
Malfertheiner
P
P
Martini
M
M
Beger
H G
HG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D002097:C-Reactive Protein