Assessment of the severity in 350 patients of acute pancreatitis by contrast enhanced computerized tomography

Background and objectives: The study has been conducted with the aim to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis.Design and Setting: Prospective.Patients and Methods: The study included 350 consecutive patients of acute pancreatitis admitted over a period of five years. All these patients were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination and investigations to ascertain the diagnosis.The severity was assed by Contrast enhanced computed tomography.Data collected was tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.Results: On the basis of computed tomography severity index (CTSI), the severity of acute pancreatic was classified into group A(mild), group B (moderate), Group C (severe). Maximum complications were noted in Group C 77 (91.67%) patients and minimum complications were seen in Group A 7 (6.25%) patients. Mortality was found to be highest among Group C 14 (16.67%) patients indicating the severe nature of disease in them and no mortality was noted in Group A patients. The mean duration of hospital stay of patients in Group A was 9.25 days, Group B 12.0 days and in Group C 24.58 days.Conclusion: The use of contrast enhanced computed tomography as a routine investigation in patients to predict a severe attack of acute pancreatitis early in the course of disease, decreases overall mortality and burden of disease.