Subcutaneous fat necrosis is seen in 2% of patients with pancreatic disorders and may predate clinical symptoms by up to 3 weeks. Furthermore, 2% of cases of acute pancreatitis are clinically silent. Therefore, the differential diagnosis is extensive and the definitive diagnosis is evasive. The treatment of prolonged hyperamylasaemia and hyperlipasaemia is challenging and still experimental. Further studies are required to introduce effective treatment protocols.