The Utility of Abdominal Ultrasound Following Negative Computed Tomography in Diagnosing Acute Pancreatitis.

Aim Acute pancreatitis is a diagnosis established by fulfillment of at least two out of three clinical features, including epigastric pain, elevated lipase, and/or radiographic evidence of acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) is the gold standard imaging modality for evaluating acute pancreatitis. Although abdominal ultrasound (AUS) is increasingly utilized given the widespread availability and high sensitivity and specificity for detecting gallstone-related complications, including gallstone pancreatitis, the leading cause of acute pancreatitis in the US.