Computed tomography in surgical pancreatic emergencies

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Imaging

Background:

• Pancreatic emergencies, including necrotic-hemorrhagic pancreatitis, pancreatic abscess, pseudocyst rupture, and pancreatic ascites with mediastinitis, present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is vital for effective management and to prevent severe complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the findings of computed tomography (CT) in various pancreatic emergencies.
• To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT, particularly in conditions requiring surgical intervention.
• To assess the role of CT in surgical treatment planning for pancreatic abscess.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with pancreatic emergencies.
• Analysis of CT's utility in diagnosing necrotic-hemorrhagic pancreatitis, pancreatic abscess, broken pseudocyst, and pancreatic ascites with mediastinitis.
• Correlation of CT findings with subsequent surgical interventions and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated significant value in visualizing and diagnosing complex pancreatic emergencies.
• CT was particularly effective in guiding surgical treatment planning for pancreatic abscess.
• Surgical management of pancreatic abscesses, when guided by CT, resulted in no mortality in the studied cohort.

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography (CT) is an indispensable tool for the diagnosis and management of pancreatic emergencies.
• CT imaging facilitates optimal surgical planning, leading to improved patient outcomes.
• The application of CT in pancreatic abscess cases is associated with successful surgical treatment and zero mortality.