Vascular complications of pancreatitis.

Most cases of pancreatitis are mild and selflimited. On the other hand, approximately one quarter of patients with pancreatitis may develop vascular complications. Vascular complications in pancreatitis are well recognized. Their exact incidence is not known. The most common complications are haemorrhage into a pseudocyst, erosions of the upper gastrointestinal arteries, thromboses of the portal venous system, formation of varices or pseudoaneurysms and rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. Pancreatitis in combination with vascular complications is dangerous and potentially lethal. The survival of patients with pancreatitis and vascular complications depends on the early diagnosis of these complications. This article focuses on the aetiology, presentation, recent developments in diagnosis and management of such complications.