DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

There is no golden standard for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (A P). The diagnosis is currently based on clinical presentation, measure ment of released pancreatic enzymes and imaging studies. Serum/urinary amylase, lipase and trypsinogen-2 dipstick are the most applicable me thods in the clinical practice largely because of their simple, rapid, inexpensive and readily available assay methods. In addition to the c linical picture, inflammatory markers (CRP) or contrast enhanced CT ca n be used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. Multifactorial scoring systems (Ranson's prognostic signs, APACHE II, MOP-score) may be too cumbersome for clinical practice. Patient history, determinati on of AST, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels as well as imagin g studies such as ultrasonography and ERCP can be used to distinguish between biliary and non-biliary origin of the disease.