Gastroenterology · UKMLA & AKT
Acute pancreatitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - systemic inflammatory cytokines damage pulmonary capillary endothelium → non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema → bilateral infiltrates on CXR with normal cardiac silhouette; rapid-onset hypoxia and breathlessness in first few days
- Pancreatic pseudocyst - amylase-rich fluid collection without epithelial lining; develops 4+ weeks after acute pancreatitis; may resolve spontaneously
- Pancreatic abscess - infected peripancreatic collection; presents with fever, rising inflammatory markers, deterioration; requires drainage
- Multi-organ failure - driven by persistent SIRS; renal, cardiovascular, hepatic dysfunction
ARDS vs heart failure on CXR: both cause bilateral alveolar shadowing, but ARDS has a normal cardiothoracic index (no cardiomegaly). Pseudocyst takes ≥4 weeks to develop - too late to diagnose in the first few days of admission.
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