Gastroenterology · UKMLA & AKT
Acute pancreatitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise acute pancreatitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
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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