Diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis is a complex team interdisciplinary problem. Radiologist in this team occupies a very important position particularly due to computing tomography and a possibility offered by minimally invasive therapy of early and late complications of this disease. The main breakthrough in the approach to diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was related to Balthazar classification and subsequently the determination of CTSI (index of severity of the disease, based on CT findings also according to Balthazar). The increasingly active approach of radiologists to drainage of acute collections of fluid and pseudocysts in patients with acute pancreatitis as well as some possibilities of treating necroses resulted in re-evaluation of the attitudes of surgeons. At the present time the main problemlays in correct classification and timing of CT examination and the drainage itself. The authors review data from literature and summarize their own experience. They call attention to most frequent errors especially in the indication and timing of individual methods. The authors arrive at the conclusion presenting their view of practical approach in the use of CT and percutaneous drainage in these patients.

        Key words: acute pancreatitis - Balthazar classification - drainage - CTSI - necrosis - pseudocyst - abscess