I GET SMASHED
acrostic/ˌaɪ ɡɛt ˈsmæʃt/
Gastroenterology
Definition
1.The causes of acute pancreatitis.
Expansion
- IIdiopathic — no cause found in 10–20% of cases
- GGallstones — the single most common cause
- EEthanol — chronic alcohol use — the second most common
- TTrauma — blunt abdominal injury or post-operative
- SSteroids — corticosteroid therapy
- MMumps — and other infections (Coxsackie, EBV)
- AAutoimmune — e.g. SLE, IgG4-related disease
- SScorpion sting — classically the Trinidadian Tityus trinitatis
- HHypercalcaemia — also hypertriglyceridaemia
- EERCP — a recognised iatrogenic cause
- DDrugs — azathioprine, valproate, thiazides, oestrogens
Notes
Acute pancreatitis presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, vomiting, and a raised serum amylase or lipase (lipase is more specific). In practice, gallstones and ethanol account for the large majority of cases — the rest of the list earns its keep on exam day.
Severity is graded with scores such as the Glasgow–Imrie or Ranson criteria; watch for the systemic complications of SIRS, hypocalcaemia and necrosis.
Origin
A bartender's lament that doubles as the eleven causes of acute pancreatitis.
See also
- SOCRATES — The framework for taking a pain history.