Challenges in diagnosing acute pancreatitis in renal transplant patients

Acute pancreatitis is a recognized occurrence in patients with end-stage renal disease, those on dialysis and those who have undergone renal transplantation. The incidence is significantly increased in comparison to the general population and carries significant mortality. We report two cases of acute pancreatitis that occurred in stable renal transplant recipients, and in which there was diagnostic difficulty. The etiology of the acute pancreatitis is not always identifiable in these patients. Classical symptoms and laboratory findings are often absent, which may cause diagnostic difficulty. Our experience suggests that in immunosuppressed patients with unexplained abdominal pain or abnormal liver function tests, acute pancreatitis should be considered at an early stage in order to initiate appropriate treatment and therefore minimize mortality and morbidity.