Question

A 43-year-old man presents to the emergency department with severe epigastric pain radiating to his back after a heavy meal and alcohol consumption. Serum lipase is more than three times the upper limit of normal, and abdominal ultrasound shows a normal biliary tree. Which combination of criteria confirms the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Two of three: characteristic abdominal pain, elevated amylase or lipase, and characteristic imaging findings

Answer

Abdominal pain alone without laboratory or imaging abnormalities

Answer

Elevated lipase alone in the absence of symptoms

Answer

Mandatory CT scan evidence plus elevated liver enzymes

Answer

Presence of gallstones plus elevated lipase

Practice question