- 🔬Pathophysiology
- Premature intra-acinar enzyme activation → pancreatic autodigestion & inflammation; gallstones/alcohol most common.
- 🩺Signs & Symptoms
- Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, chest or flanks, worse supine, N/V; ± Cullen’s / Grey-Turner signs.
- 🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
- ≥2 of 3: characteristic pain, lipase/amylase ≥3× ULN, or imaging findings (CT if unclear).
- 💊First-line Treatment
- Moderately aggressive IV fluids (lactated Ringer preferred), analgesia, early refeeding; treat the cause.