The value of ultrasound in staging the severity of acute pancreatitis

The authors asses the accuracy and role of early ultrasound examination in staging the severity of acute pancreatitis. A total of 110 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were included into the study. The ultrasound findings were categorized into six categories and compared with a modification of multiple prognostic criteria, computerized tomography, operative findings (when available) and clinical outcome. The probability of a positive ultrasound finding in a patient with clinically severe acute pancreatitis was 89.6% (sensitivity). In comparison to computerized tomography the sensitivity of ultrasound in discovering CT diagnosed moderate and severe forms of acute pancreatitis was 86.6%. The sensitivity of ultrasound in discovering moderate and severe forms of acute pancreatitis as defined at laparotomy was 77.8%. The specificity of ultrasound was low (44.0%) in comparison with modified prognostic criteria, but high in comparison with computerized tomography (87.5%) and staging at laparotomy (85.7%). There was a good correlation between US defined moderate and severe forms of acute pancreatitis and clinical outcome (average number of hospital days and case fatality). The authors conclude that early ultrasound examination in acute pancreatitis is indicated and can help stage the severity of the disease and affect decision making.