A 43-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of severe epigastric pain and vomiting for 6 hours. The pain radiates to his back and he describes it as 9 out of 10 in intensity. He has had 3–4 episodes of vomiting during this period. He admits to consuming over 13 alcoholic beverages the previous night. There is no personal or family history of serious illness and he takes no medications. He is 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall and weighs 55 kg (121 lb); BMI is 17.6 kg/m2. He appears uncomfortable. His temperature is 37.5°C (99.5°F), pulse is 97/min, and blood pressure is 128/78 mm Hg. Abdominal examination shows severe epigastric tenderness to palpation. Bowel sounds are hypoactive. The remainder of the physical examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL Hematocrit 62% Leukocyte count 13,800/mm3 Serum Na+ 134 mEq/L K+ 3.6 mEq/L Cl- 98 mEq/L Calcium 8.3 mg/dL Glucose 180 mg/dL Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL Amylase 150 U/L Lipase 347 U/L (N = 14–280) Total bilirubin 0.8 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase 66 U/L AST 19 U/L ALT 18 U/L LDH 360 U/L Which of the following laboratory studies is the best prognostic indicator for this patient's condition?
AAST/ALT ratio
BAlkaline phosphatase
CTotal bilirubin
DLipase
EHematocrit
A 52-year-old woman presents to the urgent care center with several hours of worsening abdominal discomfort with radiation to the back. The patient also complains of malaise, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Social history is notable for alcoholism. On physical exam, she is febrile to 39.5°C (103.1°F), and she is diffusely tender to abdominal palpation. Complete blood count is notable for 13,500 white blood cells, bilirubin 2.1, lipase 842, and amylase 3,210. Given the following options, what is the most likely diagnosis?
ACholedocholithiasis
BAscending cholangitis
CGallstone pancreatitis
DCholelithiasis
EAcute cholecystitis
A 42-year-old man comes to the physician because of severe epigastric pain for a week. The pain is constant and he describes it as 6 out of 10 in intensity. The pain radiates to his back and is worse after meals. He has had several episodes of nausea and vomiting during this period. He has taken ibuprofen for multiple similar episodes of pain during the past 6 months. He also has had a 5.4-kg (12-lb) weight loss over the past 4 months. He has a 12-year history of drinking 3 to 4 pints of rum daily. He has been hospitalized three times for severe abdominal pain in the past 3 years. He appears ill. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 87/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. There is severe epigastric tenderness to palpation. Bowel sounds are normal. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.6 g/dL Leukocyte count 7,800/mm3 Serum Glucose 106 mg/dL Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL Amylase 150 U/L A CT of the abdomen is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate long-term management for this patient?
APancreatic enzyme therapy
BWhipple procedure
CEndoscopic stent placement
DCeliac ganglion block
EGluten-free diet
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