Computed tomography scan imaging in diagnosing acute uncomplicated pancreatitis: Usefulness vs cost.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Literature has suggested that imaging is over-utilized in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. If the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) is established with abdominal pain and increased serum amylase or lipase activity without systemic signs of severe disease, computed tomography (CT) imaging may not be necessary. We hypothesize that among patients with uncomplicated acute pancreatitis (AUP), there is a significant number of unwarranted CT imaging studies. This imposes increased expenditure and cost in our healthcare system and does not improve hospital stay or management of AUP.

Aim

To assess the overutilization and associated cost of CT imaging among patients meeting diagnostic criteria for AUP.

Methods

In this Institutional Review Board-approved retrospectiv

SUBMITTER: Kothari S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6406186 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature