ABSTRACT
The common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and alcohol. The other causes of pancreatitis are post-ERCP, trauma, infections (mumps, coxsackie virus), autoimmune disease, hyperlipidaemia, hypercalcaemia, and drugs. Protease and lipase pro-enzymes are activated in pancreatic acini or parenchyma. This triggers autodigestion. Severe epigastric pain is the principal sign, often radiating to the back and eased by leaning forwards. It is accompanied by nausea and persistent vomiting. A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of fluid rich in pancreatic secretions enclosed within a cyst lined by granulation tissue. It is a complication of acute pancreatitis. Most acute pancreatic pseudocysts smaller than 5 cm in diameter resolve spontaneously. Pancreatic pseudocysts larger than 5 cm in diameter may eventually require surgical intervention and drainage, but conservative therapy is needed for approximately 4–6 weeks to allow the cyst wall to mature.
