Diagnosing acute pancreatitis: room for improvement?
Improving the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is a crucial step in reducing its mortality. At present, up to 40% of cases may remain undetected until autopsy. Early diagnosis could have resulted in different management in about half of these patients, perhaps saving lives with modern interventions. This article reviews the obstacles to early diagnosis, and considers the steps that will improve the record.
Postgraduate Medical School, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
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Kingsnorth
D018806:APACHE; D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases