31st July 2023

A 54-year-old man presents with a 3-day history of sudden onset

A 54-year-old man presents with a 3-day history of sudden onset severe epigastric pain, radiating to the back. He drinks a bottle of whiskey each day and has been doing so for the last 25 years. He is otherwise fit and well. Observations are stable, besides a BP of 103/7 6mmHg. He is apyrexial. His amylase is returned as 900 U/L (normal: 10 to 40 U/L). His CRP is raised to 290, while WCC is normal. CT scan showed evidence of acute pancreatitis, with necrosis, but with no obvious signs of infection.

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