Emphysematous pancreatitis: classic findings

A 55-year-old man with diabetes presented to our hospital with recent onset acute abdominal pain and recurrent vomiting. He was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit for ionotropic and invasive respiratory support. He had an acutely tender abdomen with distension. Haematological examination showed leucopenia (880/mm3), thrombocytopenia (64 000/mm3), elevated C reactive protein (68 mg/mL), metabolic acidosis (pH: 6.88) with a severely elevated blood …