After a severe episode of pancreatitis, areas of damaged pancreatic tissue or fluid collections can become infected, forming an abscess. Pancreatic abscesses typically present days to weeks after the initial attack, with fever, persistent or worsening abdominal pain, and signs of infection. They can be life-threatening and require prompt diagnosis and drainage.
Symptoms generally include ongoing abdominal pain, fever, and feeling very ill following pancreatitis.
If you have recently been hospitalized with pancreatitis, call the office promptly for recurrent or worsening abdominal pain, fever, or feeling unwell—these may be early signs of an abscess or other complication.
Seek emergency care immediately for high fever, severe abdominal pain, confusion, difficulty breathing, or feeling faint—these can be signs of severe infection or sepsis.
Evaluation requires imaging (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) to identify an infected fluid collection and blood tests to assess infection and organ function. Sometimes, cultures are obtained during drainage to guide antibiotic therapy.
Pancreatic abscesses almost always require antibiotics and some form of drainage—endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical. Supportive care in the hospital is essential.
If your insurance requires a referral or prior authorization, our billing office will make every effort to obtain it before services are rendered. If you choose to proceed without required authorization, insurance may deny coverage. If you are a Medicare patient, you may be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging financial responsibility if insurance does not pay. If you are enrolled in a commercial insurance plan you will be asked to sign a non-covered services form.