Endoscopic Ultrasound Can Determine the Cause of Most Cases of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis

In a meta-analysis, more than half of patients received an underlying diagnosis.

Cases of acute pancreatitis usually have an obvious etiology (e.g., gallstone disease, medications, alcohol, metabolic derangements), but a small proportion have no clear cause. Such patients, labeled as having idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP), often undergo extensive investigations. A recent meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in this effort.

Investigators analyzed 22 studies including just under 1500 IAP patients. EUS had an overall diagnostic yield of 59%. Fully 30% of cases were found to have a biliary etiology (stones or sludge), and 12% had findings consistent with chronic pancreatitis. Two percent had neoplasms. Other causes were found as well. The diagnostic yield was higher among patients with an i…

Reviewing Author

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Endoscopic Ultrasound Can Determine the Cause of Most Cases of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis

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Reviewing Author