Acute Pancreatitis
Acute inflammation of the pancreas is an exquisitely painful condition which can occur because of a variety of agents. The most common causes are gallstones and alcohol abuse. Viral infections, chemical injuries and certain metabolic derangements such as hypercalcemia are also implicated. Patients present with nausea, vomiting, fever and severe epigastric pain radiating to the back. Severe cases may also present with hypovolemic shock. There is excess release and activation of the pancreatic enzymes which result in autodigestion of body tissues. The gross specimen above shows areas of pancreatic necrosis with saponification. Calcium deposits occur on combining with fatty acids released due to excess lipase activation. Image via: https://www.humpath.com/spip.php?article6269
