A 45-year-old patient presents to the emergency department w…
A 45-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with excruciating epigastric pain that started two hours ago after a heavy meal. The pain is described as “boring” and radiates straight through to the back. On examination, the patient is tachycardic and has significant upper abdominal tenderness. Serum Amylase: 1,200 U/L (Normal range: 30–110 U/L), Serum Lipase: 1,500 U/L (Normal range: 0–160 U/L), ALT: 180 U/L (Normal range: 7–55 U/L). Based on this scenario, which of the following is the most likely primary cause of this patient’s acute pancreatitis.