Which condition is inflammation of the pancreas that may cause severe pain in the middle of the upper quadrants and sometimes radiates to the back?

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

Answer: (A)

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the stomach, so when it becomes inflamed the resulting pain is typically severe and centered in the upper middle part of the abdomen, with a common radiation to the back. Nausea and vomiting often accompany this pain, and patients may have a rapid heart rate. This combination of location and radiation is a hallmark feature that helps differentiate it from other abdominal conditions: cholecystitis usually causes right upper-quadrant pain and may include gallbladder-specific signs; gastroenteritis presents with diffuse crampy abdominal pain plus vomiting and diarrhea; ulcers cause epigastric pain related to meals and don’t usually radiate to the back.