PaEasy Emergency Medicine Practice Exam

Which radiographic sign is associated with pancreatitis on X-ray, as mentioned in the material?

Sentinel loop sign and colon cutoff sign Normal findings Air in the biliary tree Elevated chest sign

Correct Answer:

Sentinel loop sign and colon cutoff sign

Explanation:

In acute pancreatitis, a plain abdominal X-ray can show localized signs of ileus near the pancreas. The sentinel loop sign is a dilated loop of small bowel adjacent to the pancreas, reflecting a localized ileus from inflammatory irritation. The colon cutoff sign is gas in the transverse colon that ends abruptly at the splenic flexure due to spasm or irritation from the same inflammatory process. Seeing these signs supports pancreatitis on radiographs, even though they’re not highly sensitive. Other findings like air in the biliary tree or an undefined elevated chest sign are not typical radiographic indicators of pancreatitis, and normal findings wouldn’t explain the inflammatory process.

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