4.2. Pancreatic Disease - Chronic Pancreatitis Flashcards
What is Chronic Pancreatitis?
The continuous inflammation of the Pancreas
What is Chronic Pancreatitis characterized by?
- Irreversible Glandular Destruction
- Pain
- Loss of Pancreatic Function
Is Chronic Pancreatitis more common in Males or Females?
Males
What age group is Chronic Pancreatitis most common in?
35-50 year olds
What geopgraphical location is Chronic Pancreatitis common / rare in?
Common - South of India
Rare - East Asia
What are the main Aetiologies of Chronic Pancreatitis?
- Alcohol Abuse (80% of cases)
- Congenital Anatomical Abnormalities
- Hypercalcaemia
- Hereditary Pancreatitis
What are the 2 main Congenital Anatomic Abnormalities?
- Annular Pancreas
2. Pancreas Divisum (The failed fusion of the Dorsal and Ventral Buds)
What genes are associated with Hereditary Pancreatitis?
- PRSS1
- SPINK1
- CFTR
What are the characteristics of PRSS1, in association with Chronic Pancreatitis?
- Cationic Trypsinogen is produced
- This is Autosomal Dominant with a High Penetrance Rate
- Diagnostic Testing / Screening is available
What are the characteristics of SPINK1, in association with Chronic Pancreatitis?
- This is a Pancreatic Secretory Trypsin Inhibitor
- This has a High Frequency but Low Penetrance in the Population
- There is no Diagnostic Testing / Screening available
What are the characteristics of CFTR, in association with Chronic Pancreatitis?
- This involves the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
- This may be associated with Cystic Fibrosis, but the majoruty of these mutations have unknown clinical significance
- Diagnostic Testing is available (Sweat Chloride Test) and Screening for Cystic Fibrosis is available
What is the Pathology of Chronic Pancreatitis?
This is dependent on the Aetiology:
- Duct obstruction
- Abnormal Major Duodenal Papilla (Sphincter of Oddi) function
- General Polymorphism causing abnormal Trypsin Activation
What can cause Duct Obstruction?
- Calculi (Stones)
- Inflammation (Due to alcoholism or other irritant)
- Protein Plugs
What can cause Abormal Major Duodenal Papilla (Sphincter of Oddi) function?
- Spasm - not allowing the contents to be released
2. Relaxation problem - the inability to release the Digestive Enzymes
Due to the Aetiology, and the Initial Pathology, what changes occur in the Pancreas?
- The Ducts become Dilated, Tortuous and Strictured, due to Glandular Atrophy and Replacement of Normal Cells with Fibrous Tissue
- The Thick secretions may calcify
- Nerves may become exposed due to the loss of the Perineural Cells
- Portal Hypertension occurs due to the Thrombosis of the Alimentary Venous Drainage
What is the Clinical Presentation of Chronic Pancreatitis?
- Asymptomatic
- Abdominal Pain
- Anorexia
- Exocrine Insufficiency
- Endocrine Insufficiency
- Jaundice
- Miscellaneous Signs
When may Chronic Pancreatitis be Asymptomatic?
In the early stages of the disease