The correlative study between CTSI and gastrocolic ligament involvement in acute pancreatitis involving

To investigate the CT findings of gastrocolic ligament involved by acute pancreatitis(AP) and study the correlation between CT findings and CT Severity Index (CTSI) of AP. Methods: Seventy-nine patients with AP were retrospectively reviewed. Balthazar's CT classification of all the patients' was C grade or more. Emphasis was placed on the following findings: the CTSI, the thickness and density of the gastrocolic ligament, fluid collection within the gastrocolic ligament and its scope. Results: Among the 79 patients, 21 patients' CTSI was 8–10, 29 patients' CTSI was 6–7, and 29 patients' CTSI was 4–5. The CT manifestations of gastrocolic ligament involvement in AP include density increasing, stripe shadow, thickness and fluid collection of the gastrocolic ligament. 21 patients showed fluid collection in the gastrocolic ligament. The incidence of gastrocolic ligament involvement was associated with CTSI (P<0.05). Conclusion: MSCT can demonstrate the details of gastrocolic ligament involvement in AP, which may reflect the severity of AP in a certain extent.