Rare causes of acute pancreatitis in adults

Lead authors:

Vasiliki Lygoura, MD, Consultant in Internal Medicine

Pinelopi Arvaniti, MD, PhD, Consultant in Internal Medicine

Georgios Giannoulis, MD, Attending Physician in Internal Medicine

Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, 

National Expertise Center in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, 

Full member of the European Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), 

University Hospital of Larissa, Greece

Editor-in-Chief

Mine Durusu-Tanriover, M.D. Prof., 

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Internal Diseases, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye.

About this e-learning module

This interactive case-based e-learning module aims to review of the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and draw attention to rare causes that can go further the initial diagnostic algorithm. The module addresses the case of a 40-year-old woman with a history of multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis and bilateral salpingectomy due to hydrosalpinx.

The module includes 6 pre-assessment and 6 post-assessment questions to measure the learners' knowledge. It also includes 4 additional questions that are asked intermittently.

This e-learning module was developed by: EFIM Academy

Learning points

By the end of this module, the learners will be able to

• identify the diagnostic approach of acute pancreatitis
• the most common causes of acute pancreatitis
• the rare causes of acute pancreatitis

Take-home messages

• Acute pancreatitis is a severe clinical condition that requires appropriate management and a comprehensive work-up to determine the underlying cause
• Rare causes of acute pancreatitis should be investigated after the most common causes have been thoroughly excluded
• Cystic fibrosis although rare, represents a potential cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis in adults and should be considered when all other causes have been excluded

Target Audience

This e-learning module is suitable for internists, internal medicine trainees, general practitioners and gastroenterologists.

Additional information

• This e-learning module is designed to last approximately 1 hour in total. 
• All authors and the e-learning module editors have declared that they have no conflicts of interest in relation to the material in this e-learning module. 
• The production of this e-learning module was funded entirely by the EFIM Academy. No external sponsorship was received.
• The material used in this e-learning module was prepared in 2024.
• Unless otherwise stated, all display items are provided courtesy of the e-learning module authors.
• Learners are invited to test their knowledge at the beginning and the end of the e-learning module via 6 questions.
• The e-learning module has a pass mark of 67%. Those scoring less than the required pass mark are encouraged to revisit the e-learning module and retake the assessment.

Released on 4 October 2024

CME Accreditation

“The Rare causes of acute pancreatitis in adults” made available on https://www.efimacademy.org and organized by European Federation of Internal Medicine is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists.

Only those e-learning materials that are displayed on the UEMS-EACCME® website have formally been accredited.

Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications.

Information regarding the conversion of EACCME® credits

Credit will be converted based on one (1) hour of participation equalling one credit for all activities. Physicians wishing to convert EACCME® credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be required to access the AMA website at https://edhub.amaassn.org/pages/applications to obtain the necessary paperwork and instructions. Physicians and other health care professionals will be required to pay a processing fee to the AMA.

For other countries, please contact the relevant national/regional accreditation authority.