BILIARY DRAINAGE IN THE DIAGNOSTIC OF THE IDIOPATHIC ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

The identification of a casual agent in the so-called ''idiopatic acut e pancreatitis'' is of great interest in relationship with the prognos is and the election of correct therapy. We have performed a duodenal d rainage for the microscopic study of the bile, looking for cholesterol crystals and bilirrubinate's in a group of 19 patients with idiopatic acute pancreatitis. The results have been compared with a control gro up composed by 45 assymptomatic individuals. In the patients group dra inage results we re abnormal in 11 cases (57,9%) vs. 11.2% in the cont rol group (difference statistically significant). In 4 of the 11 cases , a cholecystectomy was performed showing biliary pathology. Patients at follow-up were assymptomatic. Duodenal drainage is an easy method w ithout risks that must be used always in idiopatic acute pancreatitis. It allows the diagnosis of microlithiasis and may help in the therape utic indication of cholecystectomy.