Pancreatitis

Home » Pancreatitis » Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Physicians often suspect pancreatitis in patients who experience persistent or recurrent abdominal pain and have a history of alcohol abuse. Diagnosis usually involves taking a medical history (including a family history and a history of symptoms) and performing a physical examination and diagnostic tests.

Other conditions, such as peptic ulcer, gallbladder inflammation (called acute cholecystitis), and intestinal obstruction often must be ruled out to make a definitive diagnosis.

During physical examination, the physician looks for signs of pancreatitis, including abdominal pain and bloating, low blood pressure, fever, and rapid heart rate.

Pancreatic function tests (e.g., blood tests, urine tests, stool tests) can detect abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes (e.g., amylase, lipase), glucose (blood sugar), white blood cells (WBCs), and other substances (e.g., sodium, calcium, potassium), which can indicate pancreatitis.

Imaging tests (e.g., x-rays, ultrasound, CT scan) of the abdomen can be used to detect infection or inflammation of the pancreas, congenital abnormalities, gallstones, and pseudocysts (accumulations of fluid and damaged tissue).

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create images of the pancreas and surrounding structures. In a procedure called endoscopic ultrasound, sound waves are transmitted through a long, flexible tube (called an endoscope) that is inserted into the digestive tract through the mouth. Endoscopic ultrasound may provide more accurate images.

Computed tomography (CT scan), also called computerized axial tomography (CAT scan), involves taking x-rays from many different angles to create cross-sectional images of structures in the abdomen. In some cases, a contrast agent is administered orally about 60–90 minutes before the test. This contrast agent flows through the GI tract and enters the pancreas, providing clearer images of the pancreas and other digestive organs.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pancreatitis Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your gi condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Pancreatitis Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer