ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Etiology: Gallstones

Migration to common bile duct blocks Sphincter of Oddi

LEGEND

Pancreatic secretions back up

Mechanism

Disease process Pressure increases within pancreas

Sign/Symptom 1. Pressure compresses pancreatic blood vessels, Since pancreas is Sudden, severe epigastric
causing tissue ischemia retroperitoneal, somatic pain (with peritoneal
2. Activation of inactive proteases (zymogens) nerves in the parietal signs), radiates to the
peritoneum are directly center of the back
digesting pancreatic tissue
stimulated

Inflammation triggers
Necrosis (death) of pancreatic cells
cytokine release
Inflammation self-
perpetuates Inflamed pancreas irritates
adjacent intestines,
Massive systemic inflammatory response
causing ileus

Inflamed, more permeable

blood vessels leak fluid
into pancreas