4.1. Pancreatic Disease - Acute Pancreatitis Flashcards
What is Acute Pancreatitis?
The inflammation of the Pancreas Gland initiated by Acute Injry
What are the main Aetiological Agents of Acute Pancreatitis?
- Alcohol Abuse (60-75% of cases)
- Gallstones (25-40% of cases)
- Idiopathic (Up to 10% of cases)
- Iatrogenic
- Miscellaneous Causes
What are some examples of Miscellaneous Causes?
- Drugs
- Viruses
- Cancer (Pancreatic Carcinoma)
- Metabolic Disturbances
- Autoimmune
What types of Drugs can cause Acute Pancreatitis?
- Steroids (e.g. Prednisolone)
- Steroid Sparing Agents (e.g. Azathioprine)
- Diuretics (e.g. Furosemide)
What Viruses can cause Acute Pancreatitis?
- Mumps
- Coxsackie B4
- HIV
- CMV
What type of Metabolic Disturbances can cause Acute Pancreatitis?
- Increased Calcium
2. Increased Triglycerides
What is the Autoimmune cause of Acute Pancreatitis?
IgG4
What is the pathology of Acute Pancreatitis?
- Due to the Aetiology, there is an acute rise in Pancreatic Intracellular Calcium
- The Calcium (is believed to) cause the Premature activation of Trypsogen to Trypsin
- The Activated Trypsin is then responsible for Cellular Necrosis (auto-digestion)
- The Cellular Necrosis leads to the Secondary Response of Acute Pancreatic Inflammation
How does the Pancreatic Intracellular Calcium become raised in Gallstone-related Acute Pancreatitis?
The stones occlude the Pancreatic Drainage, causing Pancreatic Ductal Hypertension. This can free Cytosolic Free Ionized Calcium
What will happen if Acute Pancreatitis is left untreated?
- Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines will be released, and a Reactive Oxygen Species formed
- Oedema and Fat Necroses which will lead to Haemorrhage
What is the Clinical Presentation of Acute Pancreatitis?
- Epigastric Pain
- Back Pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Acute Renal Failure
- Jaundice / Cholestatic Symptoms
- Absent Bowel Sounds
- Hyperglycaemia
How is the Epigastric Pain described?
Very Acute, Paralysing pain within the Abdomen
Why would Back Pain occur?
As the Pancreas is a Retroperitoneal Organ, there can be Retroperitoneal Involvement as an aspect of the Inflammation
Why does Nausea and Vomiting occur?
In relation to the Epigastric Pain
How would the potential Acute Renal Failure present?
With Oliguria (Abnormally small amounts of Urine)
Why might Jaundice / Cholestatic Symptoms occur?
Due to the blockage of the Common Bile Duct as well
Why are there Absent Bowel Sounds?
Due to a Paralytic Ileum - one of the effects of Acute Pancreatitis
Why might Hyperglycaemia occur?
Due to the Pancreas not being able to effectively control blood Glucose
How would an Acute Pancreatitis associated Haemorrhage present?
- Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Anaemia
- Ascitic Effusion
Why does Tachycardia and Hypotension appear in an Acute Pancreatitis associated Haemorrhage?
Due to the Hypovolaemic Shock