Which radiographic finding is classically associated with acute pancreatitis on an abdominal X-ray?

Which radiographic finding is classically associated with acute pancreatitis on an abdominal X-ray?

• A. A sentinel loop in the left upper quadrant
• B. Free air under the diaphragm
• C. Small-bowel obstruction signs
• D. Calcifications in the pancreas

Answer: (A)

Acute pancreatitis often causes a localized ileus from pancreatic inflammation. On an abdominal X-ray, this appears as a sentinel loop—a single, dilated loop of small bowel in the left upper quadrant adjacent to the pancreas. This finding reflects irritated peritoneum and reduced peristalsis confined to the area near the inflamed pancreas. Other options point to different problems. Free air under the diaphragm signals perforation of a hollow viscus, not pancreatitis. Signs of small-bowel obstruction would include multiple dilated loops with air–fluid levels, not a solitary left-upper-quadrant loop. Calcifications in the pancreas suggest chronic pancreatitis from long-standing disease, rather than an acute episode.

Acute pancreatitis often causes a localized ileus from pancreatic inflammation. On an abdominal X-ray, this appears as a sentinel loop—a single, dilated loop of small bowel in the left upper quadrant adjacent to the pancreas. This finding reflects irritated peritoneum and reduced peristalsis confined to the area near the inflamed pancreas.

Other options point to different problems. Free air under the diaphragm signals perforation of a hollow viscus, not pancreatitis. Signs of small-bowel obstruction would include multiple dilated loops with air–fluid levels, not a solitary left-upper-quadrant loop. Calcifications in the pancreas suggest chronic pancreatitis from long-standing disease, rather than an acute episode.