Acute pancreatitis and increased intracranial pressure.

A retrospective review of 41 patients with post-mortem evidence of acute pancreatitis revealed that 19 patients (46%) showed concomitant evidence of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). A prospective analysis of five patients with increased ICP demonstrated two patients with evidence of acute pancreatitis. The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis in these patients appears to be dependent on the following risk factors: increased intracranial pressure, steroids, hypovolemia, morphine infusion and hypothermia. These factors increase vagal stimulation, predispose to pancreatic duct obstruction and enhance cellular hypoperfusion. Acute pancreatitis occurring in Reye's Syndrome is probably a consequence of increased ICP and the therapy instituted.