The place of abdominal ultrasound in the follow up of patients with acute pancreatitis depending on the body mass index

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an unpredictable disease, with frequent and important possible complications. The aim of this paper was to assess if transabdominal ultrasound is a useful method for the follow up of these patients and if it is influenced by the subjects' body mass index (BMI). Material and method: We have studied 85 cases with AP admitted in our department between Jan. and Dec. 2007. The diagnosis of AP was established on the elevated values of the lipase (at least 3 times normal). We have divided the subjects in 3 groups depending on the BMI: normal group (BMI 20–24.99kg/m2), overweight group (BMI 25…