A clinically based classification system for acute pancreatitis : summary of the international symposium on acute pancreatitis, Atlanta, Ga, September 11 through 13, 1992. Invited commentary

Acute pancreatitis is a protean disease capable of wide 1 clinical variation, ranging from mild discomfort to apocalyptic prostration. Moreover, the inflammatory process may remain localized in the pancreas, spread to regional tissues, or even involve remote organ systems. This variability in presentation and clinical course has plagued the study and management of acute pancreatitis since its original clinical description. In the absence of accepted definitions for acute pancreatitis and its complications, it has not been possible to devise a clinical classification system useful for case management