Abstract
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is useful in assessment of disease severity and/or prediction of the prognosis in patients with acute pancreatitis. Local complications in acute pancreatitis are defined based on CECT criteria in the revised version of the Atlanta Classification of acute pancreatitis. Although aggravation of impairment of pancreatic microcirculation in necrotizing pancreatitis has been claimed in experimental studies, there was no evidence that CECT aggravated the clinical severity of patients with acute pancreatitis. Contrast medium had long been a contraindication in principle in acute pancreatitis. However, the absolute contraindication has been changed to careful administration in drug information since 2012. On the other hand, The Japanese guidelines for the administration of contrast medium in patients with renal disease were published in 2012. Informed consent on application of contrast medium in acute pancreatitis should be mandatory when contrast medium is to be adminsitered in acute pancreatitis patients with kidney damage.
