Acute pancreatitis: value of CT in establishing prognosis

Article Abstract:

Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which is accompanied by necrosis (tissue death), bleeding, and infection. Computed tomography (CT), a diagnostic imaging technique that uses computers to generate images from data obtained from scanning X-rays, has been used to evaluate pancreatitis and to identify patients at risk for serious complications. One method involves using contrast media with the CT. The contrast media increases definition of the pancreas on CT images, with areas of diseased or dead tissue being less clearly defined. Based on these results, the severity of the pancreatitis can be graded, with a greater severity indicating a higher risk for complications. This study examined the effectiveness of CT evaluation of pancreatitis in predicting future complications. Eighty-eight patients with pancreatitis were examined with contrast-enhanced CT. Results were graded for severity of disease from grades A and B, representing mild pancreatitis, to grades D and E, representing severe pancreatitis. These results were compared with follow-up of the patients, including results of surgery and complications that developed. There was a good correlation between length of hospital stay and pancreatitis grade. Pancreatic fluid collections were detected by CT in 37 patients (42 percent) who all had grade D or E pancreatitis. These collections cleared up in 18 patients and developed into abscesses in 19 patients. Most of the patients that developed severe complications had fluid collections visible on initial CT examination. Pancreatic necrosis was detected by CT in 18 patients; of these, 23 percent eventually died and 82 percent developed complications resulting from the pancreatitis. In patients who showed no detectable necrosis on CT, none died from pancreatitis and only 6 percent experienced complications. Of the 37 patients who showed fluid collections on CT, 15 also showed necrosis, and 80 percent of these patients developed complications. When a severity index of from 1 to 10 was used based on CT results, patients with an index between 1 and 2 had a morbidity (complication) rate of 2 percent and a mortality (death) rate of 0, while patients with an index between 7 and 10 had a morbidity rate of 92 percent and a mortality rate of 17 percent. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Prognosis, Pancreatitis

---

Appendicitis: prospective evaluation with high-resolution CT

Article Abstract:

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix that is usually diagnosed using only clinical findings. Surgery is performed immediately once it is diagnosed. In many cases, the appendix is found to be normal during surgery. As unnecessary surgery should always be avoided, methods to more accurately diagnose appendicitis are needed. Ultrasound, a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images, has been studied for this purpose. Less attention has been given to computed tomography (CT) as a possible imaging technique for diagnosing appendicitis. CT involves using a computer to generate images from data obtained by scanning X-rays. This study examined using CT in the diagnosis of appendicitis. CT was performed on 100 consecutive patients thought to have appendicitis. Results were compared with surgical findings. CT images indicated appendicitis in 64 patients, possible appendicitis in five patients, normal appendices in 14 patients, and abnormalities other than appendicitis in 17 patients. Surgery was performed on 74 patients, of whom 64 had abnormal and 10 normal appendices. CT accurately diagnosed appendicitis in 60 of the 64 cases (94 percent). In four cases, CT wrongly diagnosed appendicitis, and in one case it did not diagnose appendicitis when it existed. These results indicate that CT is very useful in diagnosing appendicitis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Ultrasound imaging, Diagnosis, Appendicitis

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in AIDS: CT findings. Observations on the growth of renal neoplasms
• Abstracts: Interventional radiology in the gallbladder: diagnosis, drainage, dissolution, and management of stones. The benefits of percutaneous cholecystostomy for decompression of selected cases of obstructive jaundice
• Abstracts: Interventional radiology in the gallbladder: diagnosis, drainage, dissolution, and management of stones. part 2
• Abstracts: Magnetic resonance imaging of neurohypophyseal germinomas. Endometrial cysts: diagnosis with MR imaging. Gallbladder carcinoma: evaluation with MR imaging

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.