- Complications
- Pseudocyst
- Fluid, enzyme, debris, and exudates surrounded by wall
- Abdominal pain, palpable mass, nausea/vomiting, anorexia
- Detected with imaging
- Resolves spontaneously or may perforate and cause peritonitis
- Surgical or endoscopic drainage
- Pancreatic abscess
- Infected pseudocyst
- Results from extensive necrosis
- May rupture or perforate
- Upper abdominal pain, mass, high fever, leukocytosis
- Requires prompt surgical drainage
- Systemic complications
- The pulmonary complications are likely due to the passage of exudate containing pancreatic enzymes from the peritoneal cavity through transdiaphragmatic lymph channels
- Pleural effusion
- Atelectasis
- Pneumonia
- ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
- Hypotension
- Thrombi, pulmonary embolism, DIC
- Hypocalcemia: tetany
- Due in part to the combining of calcium and fatty acids during fat necrosis.
- The exact mechanisms of how or why hypocalcemia occurs are not well understood
- The pulmonary complications are likely due to the passage of exudate containing pancreatic enzymes from the peritoneal cavity through transdiaphragmatic lymph channels
- Pseudocyst
- Diagnostic studies
- Laboratory tests
- Serum amylase level
- Usually elevated early and remains elevated for 24 to 72 hours.
- Serum lipase level
- Also elevated in acute pancreatitis
- Is an important test because other disorders (e.g., mumps, cerebral trauma, renal transplantation) may increase serum amylase levels
- Liver enzyme levels
- Triglyceride levels
- Glucose level
- Bilirubin level
- Serum calcium level
- Serum amylase level
- Abdominal ultrasonography
- X-ray
- Contrast-enhanced CT scan
- Identify pancreatic problems
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
- Angiography
- Chest x-ray
- May show pulmonary changes, including atelectasis and pleural effusions
- Laboratory tests

How to Grill Safely
What You Need to Know When handling raw meat, chicken and other poultry, and seafood Separate it from other food Refrigerate it before grilling Wash