Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an important cause of acute abdominal pain in children and requires prompt treatment because it may become life-threatening. The incidence of acute pediatric pancreatitis is increasing. Although epidemiology of acute pancreatitis, clinical manifestations and acute pancreatitis course in children are generally different than in adults, information about etiology, management and results are obtained on the basis of adult studies. In most cases, inflammation may limit itself, but in some cases acute pancreatitis, acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis may progress. It is necessary to provide optimal management in the acute period of pancreatitis in children, as this may prevent secondary conplications. In this review we summarise the epidemiology of acute pancreatitis, role of imaging and imaging findings in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, treatment methods and management and complications of acute pancreatitis.