In modern pancreatology, the problem of diagnosing acute pancreatitis is one of the most complex and urgent. The use of modern methods of radiation diagnosis in patients with acute pancreatitis and pancreatonecrosis allows determining the form of the disease and identifying its complications. This article presents an analysis of literature data on the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatitis and clarifying the role of ultrasound and computed tomography as the main diagnostic methods, their importance in planning treatment tactics in patients with acute pancreatitis.