Role of Computed Tomography Severity Index in Acute Diagnosis and Follow-up of Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

We aimed to identify the role that computed tomography (CT) plays in the emergency services and during treatmentin the process of establishing an early diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and detecting potential complications that can emerge. Material and Method: Seventy-six patients who presented to a Training and Research Hospital's Emergency Department and diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) were included in the study. Patients' files were evaluated retrospectively and their CT severity index (CTSI) values were obtained using Balthazar classification. Results: There was no significant difference between the ratio of patients with and without ultrasonographic features and patients whose CTSI was 3 and above. The ratio of being in the intensive care unit was significantly higher in patients with CTSI scores of 3-6 when compared to those with CTSI scores of 0-2. Two patients who died had CTSI scores in the range of 7-10. Discussion: CT plays an important role in the diagnosis of AP and the follow-up of patients diagnosed with the disease. Thus, CT can be an important parameter in the prediction of complications, as well as a preferred method for predicting the morbidity and mortality of patients diagnosed with AP.