S274 Computed Tomography Imaging in Adolescent Pancreatitis: Etiological Insights and Morphologic Patterns in a Tertiary Care Setting

Introduction: Pancreatitis in teenagers presents unique diagnostic and clinical challenges. With its varied causes and subtle presentations, early and accurate imaging is key. This study explores how contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) helps reveal the etiology and severity of pancreatitis in adolescents at a tertiary care center. Methods: We studied 50 adolescents aged 10–19 who were suspected of having pancreatitis. Each underwent clinical evaluation and contrast-enhanced CT. The modified CT severity index (MCTSI) was used to measure disease severity. We also looked into underlying causes and correlated them with imaging findings and clinical outcomes. Results: Most patients had acute edematous pancreatitis (62%), while 28% showed necrosis. Alcohol (30%) and gallstones (24%) were leading causes, followed by idiopathic origins. Systemic causes like trauma and metabolic disorders were less frequent. A higher MCTSI score was linked to more complications and longer hospital stays (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This study highlights that even in adolescents, alcohol is a major contributor to pancreatitis. CT imaging, especially when paired with MCTSI scoring, plays a crucial role in understanding disease extent and planning care. We recommend including CT as part of the early diagnostic approach in such settings.