Published online Jun 28, 2020. doi: 10.35711/aimi.v1.i1.40
Peer-review started: May 28, 2020
First decision: June 5, 2020
Revised: June 8, 2020
Accepted: June 12, 2020
Article in press: June 12, 2020
Published online: June 28, 2020
Processing time: 42 Days and 14.9 Hours
Acute pancreatitis is a common acute inflammatory disease involving the pancreas and peripancreatic tissues or remote organs. The revised Atlanta classification 2012 of acute pancreatitis divides patients into mild, moderately severe and severe groups. Major changes of the classification include acute fluid collection terminology. However, some inappropriate terms of the radiological diagnosis reports in the daily clinical work or available literature may still be found. The aim of this review article is: to present an image-rich overview of different morphologic characteristics of the early-stage (within 4 wk after symptom onset) local complications associated with acute pancreatitis by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; to clarify confusing imaging concepts for pancreatic fluid collections and underline standardised reporting nomenclature; to assist communication among treating physicians; and to facilitate the implications for clinical management decision-making.
Core tip: To our best of knowledge, this is the first pictorial review that determines the spectrum of magnetic resonance imaging features in patients with acute pancreatitis of distinct early acute necrotic collection compared with acute peripancreatic fluid collection.