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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2014; 20(44): 16544-16549
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16544
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16544
Imaging tests for accurate diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis
Valeriu Surlin, 1st Clinic of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Dolj, Romania
Adrian Săftoiu, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Dolj, Romania
Daniela Dumitrescu, Department of Radiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Dolj, Romania
Author contributions: Surlin V, Săftoiu A and Dumitrescu D contributed equally to the conception and design of the review, aquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; Surlin V and Dumitrescu D wrote and drafted the manuscript; Săftoiu A revised it critically and gave final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Adrian Săftoiu, MD, PhD, MSc, FASGE, Professor of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques in Gastroenterology, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania. adrian.saftoiu@umfcv.ro
Telephone: +40-251-310287 Fax: +40-251-310287
Received: February 26, 2014
Revised: April 29, 2014
Accepted: May 25, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Revised: April 29, 2014
Accepted: May 25, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Gallstones represent the most frequent aetiology of acute pancreatitis estimated between 40%-60%. Clearance of lithiasis (gallbladder and common bile duct, CBD rules out recurrences. Confirmation of biliary lithiasis is done by imaging. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) seems to be a more effective tool to diagnose acute biliary pancreatitis rather than endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which should be performed only for therapeutic purposes. As the sensitivity and specificity of computerized tomography are lower as compared to state-of-the-art magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or EUS, especially for small stones and small diameter of CBD, the later techniques are preferred nowadays.