Gastrointestinal complications of pancreatitis

Supine and upright films of the abdomen are usually the first imaging procedures in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute pancreatitis and may document calcific pancreatitis, inflammatory masses, abscesses, or obstruction. Appropriate barium or water-soluble contrast examination of the upper GI tract may provide an accurate indication of upper GI tract obstruction as well as document gastric varices that may occur as a complication of pancreatitis. Appropriate contrast examinations of the colon are important in documenting the extent of inflammatory changes of the colon, which may include perforation and necrosis. Accurate and expeditious documentation of these colonic complications is important in planning appropriate surgical therapy.