Impact of Fluid Collection According to Revised ATLANTA Classification on Patient Prognosis in Acute Pancreatitis: A Radiological Study

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a complex and challenging disease. The revised Atlanta Classification emphasizes accurate characterization of collections that complicate acute pancreatitis and standardizes terminology across specialties, which helps to decide the treatment strategy. As a result, the role of imaging in the management of acute pancreatitis has substantially increased. Objective: This study aimed to categorize the fluid collections in acute pancreatitis using the 2012 ATLANTA classification and to compare the type of collection with the patient's clinical variables like length of hospital stay, ICU stay, presence of organ failure, type of organ failure, presence of infection, and outcome. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted for two years. A total of 120 patients with acute pancreatitis-associated fluid collections were included in the study. Results: In our study, hospital and intensive care unit admission, as well as the length of stay, presence of organ failure, presence of infection, and the patient's outcome, all showed statistically significant relationships with walled-off necrosis (WON). Conclusions: The revised ATLANTA classification provides clear definitions to classify acute pancreatitis using easily identified clinical and radiologic criteria and thereby helps to determine the proper patient outcome and management.