CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas capable of affecting pancreatic tissue and other adjacent tissues. It can be defined as mild (edematous or interstitial) or severe (necrotizing). The mild form is restricted to the pancreas and characterized by diffuse or localized enlargement with inflammatory edema without necrosis. This presentation of the disease can affect 80 to 95% of cases and has a favorable clinical evolution, low mortality and resolution within one week. The severe form, present in around 10 to 20% of cases, affects peripancreatic tissues due to the generalized dissemination of pancreatic enzymes, which can cause local and distant complications. The patient diagnosed with this degree of acute pancreatitis must be treated precisely and immediately, considering that it has high morbidity and mortality. Considering the importance of the topic, this narrative literature review brought together articles from the main databases in order to point out the main clinical manifestations associated with acute pancreatitis and its main etiologies.