Acute pancreatitis, in abdominal ultrasound, refers to sudden inflammation of the pancreas, often causing severe abdominal pain. This medical emergency typically arises from gallstones or alcohol abuse, leading to autodigestion of the pancreatic tissue. Ultrasound plays a crucial role in initial assessment, helping identify gallstones as a common cause and evaluating for complications like fluid collections or pseudocysts.
The role of Ultrasound in the diagnosis of pancreatitis is limited, as other imaging modalities, such as CT. However, in limited-resource settings, skilled Sonographers look for characteristic signs, such as pancreatic enlargement, peripancreatic fluid, and altered echogenicity. The value of this imaging modality lies in its ability to guide further management and effectively monitor disease progression.
