Abscess, Pancreatic

Pancreatic abscess is a circumscribed collection of pus, usually in proximity to the pancreas, containing little or no pancreatic necrosis, which arise as a consequence of acute pancreatitis or pancreatic trauma. Pancreatic abscesses occur later in the course of severe acute pancreatitis, often 4 weeks or more after onset. The distinction between pancreatic abscess and infected necrosis is critical because the mortality risk for infected necrosis is double than that for abscess. The presence of pus and positive culture for bacteria or fungi, but little or no pancreatic necrosis, differentiate a pancreatic abscess from infected necrosis.

Pancreatitis, Acute