Which condition involves inflammation of the pancreas and can cause upper abdominal pain radiating to the back?

• A. Cholecystitis
• B. Peritonitis
• C. Gastroenteritis
• D. Pancreatitis

Answer: (D)

Pain that starts in the upper abdomen and radiates to the back is a classic clue for pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas sits behind the stomach in the retroperitoneal space, so when it becomes inflamed, the pain often projects to the back, reflecting the shared nerve pathways and the organ’s location. Patients may also have nausea or vomiting, and risk factors include heavy alcohol use or gallstones.

Cholecystitis, by contrast, usually causes right upper quadrant pain that can radiate to the right shoulder or back but centers on gallbladder inflammation. Peritonitis presents with severe, diffuse abdominal pain and tenderness with guarding or rebound. Gastroenteritis typically features vomiting and diarrhea with crampy, diffuse abdominal pain rather than a back-radiating pain pattern.

So the condition described is pancreatitis.