The "negative chest radiograph" in acute pancreatitis.

Twenty-six patients with acute pancreatitis and normal chest radiographs on admission were studied. Twelve (46%) developed abnormalities in the first five days of illness. Twenty-four of the 25 patients tested developed an arterial pO2 of less than 10.6 kPa (80 mmHg) but severe hypoxia was present in a greater percentage of patients whose chest radiology became abnormal. Blood gases and chest radiographs should be checked on a regular basis in patients with acute pancreatitis.