Vascular complications in cases of acute pancreatitis - CT scan based study.

Objective: To record the incidence of vascular complications in cases of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed at the Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from October 31, 2012 to October 31, 2014, and comprised computerised records and computerised tomography scan images related to cases of pancreatitis.

Results: Of the 210 patients included, 97(46.19%) were men and 113(53.81%) were women. A total of 24(11.4%) patients had thrombosis of splanchnic vasculature, of which the most frequently thrombosed vessel was the splenic vein, in 17(70.8%) patients; followed by the portal vein, 11(45.8%); and the superior mesenteric vein,4(16.7%).

Conclusions: The incidence of vascular thrombosis was low, but not uncommon in patients of severe acute pancreatitis.