Does modified computed tomography severity index need a revision

Abstract

Background: Several radiologic prognostic scoring systems have been developed in the past for grading of pancreatitis. Modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) incorporates extrapancreatic complications in the assessment and simplifies the evaluation of the extent of pancreatic parenchymal necrosis and peripancreatic inflammation. MCTSI does not give detailed evaluation with regard to the specific prevalence of each of the extrapancreatic complications. All extrapancreatic complications are given a score of 2. Objective: The primary aim of our study is whether vascular extrapancreatic complication has an overall effect on clinical outcome in pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective correlational study done in Government Medical College, Srinagar, from December 2018 to November 2019, on patients with acute pancreatitis. Twenty-seven patients of acute severe pancreatitis, as per MCTSI, were divided into the following two groups: Group A of 18 patients having no vascular complications and Group B of nine patients with vascular complications, and 28 patients of moderate pancreatitis were divided into the following two groups: Group A of 24 patients with no extrapancreatic vascular complications and Group B of four patients having vascular complications. Major parameters that were evaluated were rate of intervention, infection rate, organ involvement, and duration of hospital stay in patients with vascular complications as compared to patients having no vascular complications. Results: Pleural effusion was the most common extrapancreatic complication in our study followed by ascites. Thrombosis was the most common vascular complication followed by pseudo aneurysm. Cholelithiasis was the most common cause of acute pancreatitis followed by idiopathic cause. Patients with vascular complications had higher intervention, infection rate, organ involvement, and longer duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: Patients with vascular complications have higher rate of intervention, infection rate, organ involvement, and longer duration of hospital stay irrespective of MCTSI.