Chronic Pancreatitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Jul 15, 2019
  • Author: Jason L Huffman, MD; Chief Editor: BS Anand, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is chronic pancreatitis?

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?

How is chronic pancreatitis diagnosed?

What is the role of imaging in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of ERCP and MRCP in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What are endosonographic findings suggestive of chronic pancreatitis?

How is treatment for chronic pancreatitis directed?

What is the role of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of celiac ganglion blockade the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of endoscopic therapy in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the surgical options for treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is chronic pancreatitis?

What is the appearance of chronic pancreatitis on imaging?

How does chronic pancreatitis differ from acute pancreatitis?

What is the clinical presentation of chronic pancreatitis?

Where can patient education information be found for chronic pancreatitis?

What is the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the possible mechanisms in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the clinical characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis?

What is the relationship between pancreatic stone formation and chronic pancreatitis?

What is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of alcohol in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of lithostathine in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of ethanol in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of genetics in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis?

Which hereditary disorders cause chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of cystic fibrosis (CF) in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis?

What are possible causes of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of congenital abnormalities in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the cause of acquired obstructive chronic pancreatitis?

What are less common causes of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the incidence of chronic pancreatitis in the US?

What is the global incidence of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the racial predilections for chronic pancreatitis?

How does the incidence of chronic pancreatitis vary by sex?

How does the incidence of chronic pancreatitis vary by age?

What are prognostic factors associated with chronic pancreatitis?

What are the survival and mortality rates for chronic pancreatitis?

What are common complications of chronic pancreatitis?

What is a pseudocyst in chronic pancreatitis?

What causes pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis?

What causes pseudoaneurysm in chronic pancreatitis?

What causes ascites and pleural effusion in chronic pancreatitis?

What are the indications for drainage of pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis?

What causes bile and duodenal obstruction in chronic pancreatitis?

What are less common complications of chronic pancreatitis?

Presentation

What is the typical presenting symptom of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the clinical signs of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the natural history of pain in chronic pancreatitis?

Other than pain, what are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?

Which physical findings suggest chronic pancreatitis?

What is included in the physical exam for chronic pancreatitis?

DDX

How are cystic neoplasms differentiated from chronic pancreatitis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Chronic Pancreatitis?

Workup

What is included in the workup of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of blood tests in the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of fecal tests in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of pancreatic function tests in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of duodenal aspirates in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

How is pancreatic juice tested in the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis?

Which noninvasive pancreatic function tests are used in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the hallmarks of chronic pancreatitis on imaging studies?

What is the role of abdominal radiography in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of CT scanning in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of ERCP in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of pancreatograms in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the limitations of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the limitation of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) criteria for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of the early stages of chronic pancreatitis?

Which histologic changes suggest chronic pancreatitis?

Treatment

What are the goals of medical treatment for chronic pancreatitis?

What are the treatment options in the early stages of chronic pancreatitis?

What determines the need for hospitalization to treat chronic pancreatitis?

What is included in inpatient treatment of mild chronic pancreatitis?

When is ICU treatment indicated for chronic pancreatitis?

What are anatomical complications of chronic pancreatitis?

What are intervention options for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

How is percutaneous drainage performed in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

Which specialist consultations are needed for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

Which lifestyle changes are indicated for the treatments of chronic pancreatitis?

What are sources of pain in chronic pancreatitis?

How is pain managed in chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of exogenous pancreatic enzymes in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) releasing factor (CRF) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

How do exogenous pancreatic enzymes relive pain in chronic pancreatitis?

What are the benefits of the exogenous pancreatic enzymes for treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of celiac ganglion blockade in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the benefit of a reduced fat intake in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of triglycerides in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of enteric-coated agents for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What are the most serious adverse effects of enteric-coated agents for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of vitamin B-12 in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the goal of endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis?

What are the benefits of endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the efficacy of endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis?

When is endoscopic therapy beneficial in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

How is papillary stenosis in chronic pancreatitis?

How are pancreatic duct strictures treated in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

How are pancreatic duct stones treated in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

How are pancreatic pseudocysts treated in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

How are noncommunicating pseudocysts treated in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

What is the basis for selection of surgery in chronic pancreatitis?

How is pancreatic duct drainage performed in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the role of pancreatic resection in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

What is the efficacy of total pancreatectomy for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

What is the recommended diet for patients with chronic pancreatitis?

Guidelines

What are the guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis?

Medications

What is the curative treatment for chronic pancreatitis?

How do exogenous pancreatic enzymes reduce pain in chronic pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Pancreatic Enzyme Supplements are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressants, TCAs are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Hormones are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Opioid Analgesics are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?

Which medications in the drug class Analgesics, Other are used in the treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis?