Microangiography of the pancreas was performed in five normal piglets and in 10 piglets with oedemic and haemorrhagic pancreatitis in order to evaluate the role of microcirculatory changes in experimental pancreatitis. Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced by intraductal infusion of trypsin-taurocholate and oedematous pancreatitis correspondingly by infusion of autologous diluted bile. Both types of pancreatitis were confirmed by histological examination. Microangiography of the control animals revealed well-filled arteries, arterioles and capillaries, which formed a dense capillary network. In the areas of histologically documented haemorrhagic pancreatitis, unfilled capillary nets were observed as empty areas in the microangiography. Other areas of focal extravasation of the contrast material could be seen. Arteries and arterioles were well filled. In oedematous pancreatitis, the microangiography was unchanged compared with the control.
Conclusion: Acute experimental haemorrhagic pancreatitis is associated with severe disturbances in the capillary circulation of the pancreas, whereas in oedematous pancreatitis the microangiography of the pancreas is normal.