Acute idiopathic pancreatitis: Is it truly idiopathic?

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is a severe disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. A variety of causes have been cited, the commonest being alcoholic and gallstone pancreatitis. However in a few cases, no distinct etiology can be identified. These are termed acute idiopathic pancreatitis. In such patients, microlithiasis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction have been attributed to the development of acute pancreatitis. The pathophysiology and management of acute idiopathic pancreatitis due to microlithiasis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction are discussed in the paper.