Revised Atlanta classification
Revised Atlanta Classification of Acute Pancreatitis
The revised Atlanta classification is the standardized vocabulary for acute pancreatitis, defining severity (mild, moderately severe, severe) by organ failure and complications, and — crucially for radiology — precisely naming the fluid collections. It separates interstitial edematous from necrotizing pancreatitis and defines four collection types (acute peripancreatic fluid collection, pseudocyst, acute necrotic collection, walled-off necrosis) with a time axis (early vs late phase). It exists to make gastroenterology and radiology describe the same CT the same way; the 2012 revision replaced ambiguous 1992-era terms that had drifted in practice.
Version history & what changed
- 2012 revision2012Current
Separated interstitial edematous from necrotizing pancreatitis and defined four collection types (APFC, pseudocyst, acute necrotic collection, walled-off necrosis) on an early/late time axis, replacing ambiguous 1992-era terms.
- Original Atlanta classification1992
The first standardized severity and terminology scheme for acute pancreatitis, later found to have drifted and become ambiguous in practice.
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RadPigeon is an independent radiology news digest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Acute Pancreatitis Classification Working Group. “Revised Atlanta classification” is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to refer to the system. Always consult the official source for the exact, current criteria.