What defines post-ERCP pancreatitis?

Post-ERCP pancreatitis is defined by the occurrence of abdominal pain accompanied by an elevation of serum amylase and/or lipase levels that is greater than three times the upper limit of the normal range. This increase in enzyme levels indicates pancreatic injury that may have arisen due to the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure. The pain associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis typically manifests within a few hours to a few days following the procedure.

It's essential to recognize that the confirmation of pancreatitis relies not only on the clinical symptom of abdominal pain but also on the biochemical markers of pancreatic inflammation, specifically the significant elevation of serum amylase or lipase. The timeframe and correlation between the procedure and the onset of symptoms are critical in establishing a diagnosis of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The substantial elevation in enzyme levels indicates the degree of pancreatic irritation or damage that has occurred, which marks the distinction from other causes of abdominal pain post-ERCP.