Gastroenterology & NutritionPending review

Acute Pancreatitis

Premature activation of the pancreas's own digestive enzymes causes it to digest itself, so the pain, the systemic inflammatory response and the organ failure it can trigger are all consequences of autodigestion, not infection.

In a nutshell

Premature intra-pancreatic activation of digestive enzymes causes autodigestion of the gland. Gallstones (ampullary obstruction) and alcohol (direct acinar toxicity) are the two dominant causes. Severity depends on the systemic inflammatory response and organ failure, not the amylase/lipase level.

Classic presentation

Sudden severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, eased by sitting forward, with vomiting, in a patient with gallstones or heavy alcohol use.

Key points

The core mechanism is autodigestion from premature intra-acinar activation of trypsinogen, not infection.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.