Diagnosing acute pancreatitis and assessing its severity by enhanced computed tomography: Correlations with Ranson's assessment method

Using the criteria of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare for evaluation of the severity of acute pancreatitis based on computed tomography (CT), we assessed the CT grade of 104 patients with acute pancreatitis. The CT assessments were compared with the status of acute pancreatitis in these patients, assessed using Ranson's system of objective prognostic signs by which acute pancreatitis is classified as “mild”, “moderat”, or “severe.” A CT grade of I corresponded to Ranson's mild category; CT grades II and III corresponded to moderate, and CT grades IV and V corresponded to servere. Some patients with a CT grade of IV or V died, whereas none of the patients with CT grades of I, II, or III succumbed to the condition. This study confirmed that enhanced CT provides an accurate CT grading of acute pancreatitis. We emphasize the necessity of using enhanced CT for determining the severity of acute pancreatitis, not only on admission but also during hospitalization if the patient's condition should become exacerbated.