A 45-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, along with nausea and vomiting. He is initially suspected to have gallstones, but ultrasound shows no gallbladder abnormalities. What could be the diagnosis?
While these symptoms initially suggest gallstones, the absence of gallbladder abnormalities on ultrasound suggests another diagnosis. This presentation is also common in acute pancreatitis, a condition that often results from excessive alcohol use or gallstones. Diagnosis can be confirmed with elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) in the blood.