Pancreatitis

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Pancreatitis is "inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of chronic pancreatitis (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are alcoholic pancreatitis and gallstone pancreatitis."[1]

Classification

Acute pancreatitis

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a "severe form of acute inflammation of the pancreas characterized by one or more areas of necrosis in the pancreas with varying degree of involvement of the surrounding tissues or organ systems. Massive pancreatic necrosis may lead to diabetes mellitus, and malabsorption.[2]

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is "inflammation of the pancreas that is characterized by recurring or persistent abdominal pain with or without steatorrhea or diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by the irregular destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma which may be focal, segmental, or diffuse.[3]

Etiology/cause

The most common causes are gallstones and alcohol.[4]

Diagnosis

Acute pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis

Treatment

Acute pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis

References