Contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography does not aggravate the clinical severity of patients with severe acute pancreatitis: reevaluation of the effect of intravenous contrast medium on the severity of acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) is useful in demonstrating pancreatitis necrosis, but the administration of contrast medium in animal models with acute pancreatitis may worsen the severity.


OBJECTIVE
The use of contrast-enhanced CT in clinical patients with acute pancreatitis may actually aggravate the severity of the disease.


METHODS
A randomized prospective study.


METHODS
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.


METHODS
Twenty patients with severe acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into 2 groups. Those in group A (n = 10) underwent a CT examination with a contrast-enhanced medium, and those in group B (n = 10) underwent a CT examination without a contrast-enhanced medium.


METHODS
The patients' serum amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein, leukocyte, glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase, creatinine, calcium, and phosphate levels were serially checked before the CT examination and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the examination was performed. The biochemical data between the 2 groups were compared. The morbidity, length of stay, and mortality were also compared.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in the level of pancreatic enzymes, C-reactive proteins, and leukocytes and in the biochemical data of either group before or after the CT examination. The difference in the previously examined values between the 2 groups was also not significant. There was also no difference in the morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT does not aggravate the severity of clinical patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Hwang
T L
TL
Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan. hwangtl@adm.cgmh.com.tw
Chang
K Y
KY
Ho
Y P
YP
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media