Acute pancreatitis typically presents as an acute abdomen requiring emergency admission to the hospital.
Early in the attack the patient may move around trying to find a comfortable position, obtaining relief by sitting forwards - the so-called "pancreatic position." Once generalised peritonitis supervenes, however, the patient remains still.
Examination of the patient may reveal:
Other features are dependent upon the severity of the attack and the development of complications. Abdominal wall discolouration is almost pathognomonic and carries a mortality risk of about 40%.
Reference:
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