Doctors may also ask for a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, which uses magnetic resonance imaging. This non-invasive procedure will create images of various parts of the body. While under light sedation, the patient is inserted into a long tube, while the technician injects dye into the patient’s veins. This illuminates the pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder and can be used to develop an evaluation.
Finally, another test that may be ordered is the computerized tomography, which creates three-dimensional images of body parts. This is a test that is only used when doctors are uncertain of the diagnosis after observing the patient for several days. It is a good tool to determine the extent of damage to the pancreas during an acute attack.
The danger in all cases of acute pancreatitis comes from the shutdown of other organs in the body and the possibility of an infection that spreads. This can result in catastrophic organ failures and underlines why it is important to get to a hospital if you suspect an acute attack.
The Treatments
Getting a lot of fluids into the patient is one of the first defenses when an acute pancreatitis attack is suspected. This is done to prevent dehydration and to get blood and other fluids flowing, ideally helping to stem the swelling and inflammation and providing ways to get stones moving.
Patients are also injected with intravenous narcotic pain relievers, bringing down distress levels and hopefully corralling the nausea that many pancreatitis patients suffer. This is done not only for comfort, but also to slow down the digestive system and bowels.