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| Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas
that is painful and at times deadly. Despite the great advances
in critical care medicine over the past 20 years, the mortality
rate of acute pancreatitis has remained at about 10%. Diagnosis
of pancreatic problems is often difficult and treatments are
therefore delayed because the organ is relatively inaccessible.
There are no easy ways to see the pancreas directly without
surgery, and available imaging studies are often inadequate.
In addition to the acute form, there are hereditary and chronic
forms of pancreatitis which can devastate a person over many
years. Sufferers often endure pain and malnutrition, and are
most likely left with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. |
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| Note: Additional information on medical
treatments for Pancreatitis can be found
under Live > Medical
Treatments. |
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Pancreatic Cysts
Peter Banks, M.D.
Gastroenterologists and surgeons are increasingly being asked to consult on patients who are discovered to have a pancreatic cyst. In most instances, the cyst is discovered on an imaging study such as an abdominal ultrasound or abdominal CT scan that was requested for symptoms unrelated to the pancreas. Occasionally, the cyst is discovered on an imaging study for mild abdominal symptoms caused by a cyst. |
Chronic Pancreatitis – A Frequently Misunderstood Disease
Michele Dominick Bishop, MD, MMSc
Chronic pancreatitis involves long-term inflammation and scarring of the pancreas that is irreversible. Pancreatic enzyme levels in the blood (amylase and lipase) are usually very high during acute pancreatitis, but may be only mildly elevated or even within normal limits with chronic pancreatitis. |
Chronic Pancreatitis
Steven Freedman, M.D., PhD.
Since the first description of chronic pancreatitis over 200 years ago, there have been relatively few advances in our understanding and treatment of this disease. Generally, the goal has been to “rest” the pancreas by minimizing oral intake and treating the pain with medication. Several exciting new developments have been described over the past year. Our group has focused on understanding chronic pancreatitis and developing novel effective treatments.
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Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disorder of the pancreas that causes destruction of the pancreas. Initially chronic pancreatitis is often confused with acute pancreatitis because the symptoms are similar. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and upper abdominal pain. The pain may radiate directly through to the back. As the disease becomes more chronic, patients develop malnutrition and weight loss. If the pancreas becomes destroyed in the later stages, patients may develop diabetes mellitus. |
Acute Pancreatitis
Douglas Pleskow, M.D.
Acute pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. By convention, acute disease is characterized by a normal pancreas that becomes inflamed prior to the attack and once the attack resolves the pancreas returns to normal. Acute disease can be mild or can be life threatening in severity.
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Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that is usually associated with severe upper abdominal pain. There are an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 cases in the United States each year. The most common cause is gallstones. Other causes include alcohol abuse, hereditary conditions, trauma, medications, infections, electrolyte abnormalities, high lipid levels and hormonal abnormalities. In approximately 15% of cases, the cause of acute pancreatitis is unknown. |
ERCP and Pancreatic Disease
Charles D. Ulrich II, M.D. and Stephen P. Martin, M.D.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases for over 20 years. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under sedation (rarely under general anesthesia). Using a “side-viewing” endoscope, called a duodenoscope, the duodenal “papilla”-(a mound-like structure that houses the opening of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct)- is identified and manipulated. The scope contains a working channel through which flexible instruments are passed into the bile and/or pancreatic ducts to diagnose and treat pancreatic diseases. |
ERCP
Portions from The American Gastroenterological Association
ERCP is a specialized technique used to study the pancreas, gallbladder and the ducts of the liver. An endoscope, which is a flexible thin tube, is passed through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum. After the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas is visually identified, a catheter (a narrow plastic tube) is passed through the endoscope into the ducts. Contrast material is then injected gently into the ducts (pancreatic or biliary) and x-rays are taken. |
Hydration and Chronic Pancreatitis
Kathianne Sellers, R.D.
Proper hydration is important in the health of all people, but especially for people with chronic pancreatitis. While many people with chronic pancreatitis are aware of the need for fat restriction, few are aware of the need for adequate hydration. |
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