Vascular Complications in Acute Pancreatitis Assessed by Color Duplex Ultrasonography

We determined the sensitivity of computed tomography and color duplex ultrasonography in the detection and characterization of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis. The relationship of these complications with the etiology and activity of the disease was assessed. In a prospective study, 189 patients with acute pancreatitis seen in the Department of Gastroenterology. Charité Hospital in Berlin over a period of 38 months underwent color duplex ultrasonography every second day for 3 weeks and thereafter at least once a week for 2 months. Dynamic computed tomography was performed within 72 hours after admission, and follow-up computed tomography scans were obtained. In 45 patients (23%), at least temporary thromboses of portal venous vessels were demonstrated by color duplex ultrasonography. The incidence of venous thromboses was 30% in severe acute pancreatitis with fluid collections without necroses and 57% in necrotizing pancreatitis. In 27 of those 45 patients, a formation of collaterals was documented. In 13 patients, arterial pseudoaneurysms were demonstrated. Vascular complications were significantly more frequent in alcohol-induced than in gallstone-induced pancreatitis. Only 62% of all sonographically diagnosed thromboses and only 32% of all collaterals were demonstrated by computed tomography. The prevalence of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis was much higher as suspected. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was lower than previously reported. Color duplex sonography is the method of choice for the detection of vascular complications in acute pancreatitis.