The first examination is usually a plain film of the abdomen, followed by a CT scan of the abdomen with oral and IV contrast, with specific pancreatic protocol. This provides a thorough evaluation of the pancreas and evaluates all surrounding structures for evidence of pseudocyst formation, phlegmon, pancreatic hemorrhage, abscess, or other complications. In addition, unsuspected retroperitoneal processes that can present as "back pain" like pancreatitis, such as AAA, are also reliably detected. Ultrasound is less desirable due to the presence of bowel gas that frequently obscures the pancreas. For initial diagnosis and as part of the follow-up evaluation of pancreatitis, serial use of amylase & lipase may be quite useful. In uncomplicated cases of pancreatitis, serial enzyme measurements alone may be adequate to assess resolution. In more complex cases, serial enzyme measurements should be combined with follow-up CT of the abdomen with IV contrast to reassess the pancreas and determine if post-pancreatitis complications have resolved or improved.