Assess symptoms: severe upper abdominal pain, pain radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting
Review risk factors: gallstones, heavy alcohol use, high triglycerides, certain medications, recent procedures, trauma
Perform physical examination: abdominal tenderness, guarding, fever, low blood pressure, jaundice
Order blood tests: serum lipase, serum amylase, complete blood count, liver function tests, electrolytes, kidney function tests, triglycerides, calcium
Check for elevated lipase or amylase
Use abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and bile duct obstruction
Use contrast-enhanced CT scan if diagnosis is unclear or to assess severity and complications
Use MRI or MRCP to evaluate pancreatic and bile ducts when needed
Consider endoscopic ultrasound if gallstones or other causes are suspected but not seen on initial imaging
Diagnose acute pancreatitis when at least two of the following are present: typical abdominal pain, elevated pancreatic enzymes, imaging findings consistent with pancreatitis
Evaluate for complications and severity: organ failure, necrosis, fluid collections, infection
Determine underlying cause to guide treatment and prevent recurrence