Pancreatitis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Diagnosing pancreatitis requires two of the following:

• Characteristic abdominal pain
• Blood amylase or lipase will be 4-6 times higher than the normal variations, but this will be dependant on the laboratory that is testing the blood.
• Abdominal ultrasound is generally performed first, which is advantageous for the diagnosis of the causes of the pancreas, for example, detecting gallstones, diagnosing alcoholic fatty liver (combined with history of alcohol consumption). They are both the main causes of pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasound also shows an inflamed pancreatitis clearly. It is convenient, simple, non-invasive and inexpensive.
• Characteristic CT scan

Amylase or lipase is frequently part of the diagnosis; lipase is generally considered a better indicator, but this is disputed. Cholecystitis, perforated peptic ulcer, bowel infarction, and diabetic ketoacidosis can mimic pancreatitis by causing similar abdominal pain and elevated enzymes. The diagnosis can be confirmed by ultrasound and/or CT.