The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pancretatitis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To verify the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: The databases in PubMed and Scielo were searched articles published in the last 10 years, and other sources of research were also used. They addressed the following key words: pancreatitis, diagnosis, ultrasonography, published in Portuguese and English. RESULTS: Ultrasound imaging of the pancreas can be difficult because of its retroperitoneal localization, variety in appearance between individuals and in body habits. Excess intestinal gas and obesity are the most frequent limitations in transcutaneous sweeping of the pancreas. Successful visualization can often be obtained through manipulations with the transducer and is directly linked to the skill and persistence of the examiner. CONSIDERATIONS: With research on the ultrasound examinations and modalities, it concludes that it represents an important method in the evaluation of patients with pancreatitis, having greater efficacy at the beginning, being able to identify ultrasound tampering in most of them, and also to identify and follow the development of peripancreatic liquid collections.