The most common complication of acute pancreatitis (especially those with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis) is the collection of pancreatic juices outside of the normal boundaries of the ductal system called pseudocysts .Most pseudocysts resolve spontaneously.In acute pancreatitis, inflammation develops quickly and subsides within a few days but can last for to a few weeks. In chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas is persistently inflamed, which causes permanent damage.In severe cases, acute pancreatitis can cause bleeding, serious tissue damage, infection, and cysts. Pancreatitis that doesn't go away or keeps coming back and damages the pancreas is called chronic pancreatitis.The cornerstones of management include aggressive intravenous hydration, appropriate nutrition and pain management.The surgical management of acute gallstone pancreatitis has evolved. In this article, we revisit and review the methods in diagnosing acute pancreatitis.