Reports of pulmonary embolism in the setting of acute pancreatitis are rare. We present three cases of acute pancreatitis associated with pulmonary embolism and review the literature. Two of the three patients had severe acute pancreatitis with bilateral pulmonary emboli, and to our knowledge, these cases represent the first report of pulmonary embolism occurring in the setting of pancreatic as...

Acute pancreatitis refers to the sudden inflammation of the pancreas. It is associated with premature activation and release of digestive enzymes into the pancreatic interstitium and systemic circulation, resulting in pancreatic tissue autodigestion and multiple organ dysfunction, as well as with increased cytokine production, ultimately leading to deleterious local and systemic effects. Althou...

Acute allograft pancreatitis is common following simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation with either bladder or enteric drainage w1,2x. Allograft pancreatitis may be caused by infection, bladder drainage problems, alcohol, drugs and diet w1x. Pancreatic allograft rejection, usually occurring in the context of renal allograft rejection, may cause a syndrome similar to acute allogr...

Acute pancreatitis is a common digestive disease of which the severity may vary from a mild, edematous to a severe, necrotizing disease. An improved outcome in the severe form of the disease is based on early identification of the disease severity. The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is still only partially understood. However, the premature activation of trypsinogen to trypsin in the acinar...

The last two decades have seen the emergence of significant evidence that has altered certain aspects of the management of acute pancreatitis. While most cases of acute pancreatitis are mild, the challenge remains in managing the severe cases and the complications associated with acute pancreatitis. Gallstones are still the most common cause with epidemiological trends indicating a rising incid...

BACKGROUND Capillary leakage with fluid loss into the third space contributes to many of the early systemic complications in severe acute pancreatitis. There has been increasing interest in endothelin as one of the factors affecting capillary permeability. AIM To elucidate further the role of endothelin in the development of capillary leakage in acute pancreatitis by investigating the effect ...

EDITORIAL SYNOPSIS Two hundred and five confirmed cases of pancreatitis have been classified. Primary calcifying pancreatitis is associated with alcoholism. Pancreatic changes are patchy and related to plugging of minute ducts. Cysts are frequent. Obstruction to the main pancreatic duct may also result in chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis and acute recurrent pancreatitis are often associ...

CONTEXT Microvascular thrombosis is a critical event in severe acute pancreatitis. Human recombinant activated protein C (Xigris®, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, IN, USA) modulates the interplay between pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant pathways and maintains microvascular patency. However, the anticoagulant properties of Xigris® may precipitate bleeding from the inflamed pancreas. OBJECTIVE This ...

Background—Capillary leakage with fluid loss into the third space contributes to many of the early systemic complications in severe acute pancreatitis. There has been increasing interest in endothelin as one of the factors aVecting capillary permeability. Aim—To elucidate further the role of endothelin in the development of capillary leakage in acute pancreatitis by investigating the eVect of e...

The currently used diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis in Japan are presentation with at least two of the following three manifestations: (1) acute abdominal pain and tenderness in the upper abdomen; (2) elevated levels of pancreatic enzyme in the blood, urine, or ascitic fluid; and (3) abnormal imaging findings in the pancreas associated with acute pancreatitis. When a diagnosis is made...