6. Acute/Chronic Pancreatitis & Pancreatic Cancer Flashcards
Risk of pancreatitis is _______x higher for blacks than whites
3
Most common cause of acute pancreatitis.
Gallstones
What is the main digestive function of the pancreas?
Break down the macromolecules in food, producing smaller nutrient molecules for intestinal absorption.
What stimulates pancreatic acinar cells?
Secretagogues
- Acetylcholine (Vagus)
- Cholecystokinin (small intestines)
What does alkaline fluid do in the pancreas?
Neutralizes the acidic chyme that enters the small intestine.
Besides alkaline fluid, what else does the pancreas secrete?
Insulin and glucagon
What stimulates the pancreatic duct cells?
Secretin
*Duct cells secrete bicarbonate via calcium/bicarbonate exchange channel
“Enzymatic precursors” produced by acinar cells
Zymogens
Where are zymyogens produced?
In vesicles w/in acinar cells
In what phase of acute pancreatitis are proteolytic enzymes w/in pancreas activated? (causing acinar cell injury)
Initial Phase
In what phase of AP does an inflammatory reaction occur?
Second phase
What happens in the third phase of acute pancreatitis?
Proteolytic enzymes and cytokines start to digest surrounding tissues and organs. Can cause a systemic inflammatory response
What happens when pancreatic enzymes starts to digest surrounding tissues?
Proteolytic Edema Interstitial hemorrhage Vascular damage Coagulation necrosis Fat necrosis Parenchymal cell necrosis
5 known genetic factors for ACUTE pancreatitis
1) Cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1)
2) Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK1)
3) The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR)
4) The chymotrypsin C gene (CTRC)
5) The calcium-sensing receptor (CASR)
A patient presents with a sudden onset of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. They describe the pain as “dull and steady in the back and lower abdomen.”
Acute pancreatitis
What might cause muscle spasms in acute pancreatitis?
Hypocalcemia
A fain blue discoloration around the umbilicus?
Cullen’s sign
A blue-red-purple or green-brown discoloration of the flanks.
Grey-Turner’s sign
Serum amylase in acute pancreatitis.
Elevated-not specific
P-Amylase-more specific
Serum Lipase results for AP
Elevated-more specific
The ALT level in gallstone pancreatitis is generally_________
Higher than 150
Hyperglycemia in acute pancreatitis is caused by__________
B cell injury
What would you see in CRP w/ acute pancreatitis at 24 hours? 48 hours?
> 6
>7=more severe pancreatitis
What is the initial imaging choice in ER for acute pancreatitis?
Abdominal Ultrasound-look for GALLSTONES and visualize PANCREATIC head
When are abdominal CT’s best done in acute pancreatitis?
3-5 days into hospitalization
How is the EARLY phase defined in the Atlanta Classification?
<2 weeks. Clinical parameters-I.e. organ failure
How is the LATE phase of the Atlanta Classification defined?
> 2 weeks. Longer course may require imaging to evaluate for necrosis
How is MILD acute pancreatitis defined?
W/OUT local complications or organ failure. Subside w/in 3-7 of tx
How is MODERATELY SEVERE acute pancreatitis defined?
Transient organ failure that resolves in <48 hr. OR LOCAL or SYSTEMIC complications w/out organ failure.
How is SEVERE acute pancreatitis defined?
Persistent organ failure > 48 hr
What would you find in imaging of interstitial pancreatitis?
Blood is still flowing. Gland enlargement, homogenous contrast enhancement and mild inflammatory changes. (Resolve w/in a week).
90-95% admissions
What would you find in imaging of necrotizing pancreatitis?
Lack of pancreatic parenchymal enhancement. Variable course (necrosis may remain solid, liquefy etc).
5-10% of admissions.
*It’s what you DON’T see!
Ranson’s criteria on admission: age.
> 55
Ranson’s criteria on admission: WBC
> 16,000 uL
Ranson’s criteria on admission: blood glucose
> 200mg/dL
Ranson’s criteria serum on admission: LDH
> 350 IU/L
Ranson’s criteria on admission: AST
> 250
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: Hematocrit
> 10%
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: BUN level
Inc. more than 8 mg/dL
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: Serum calcium level
Lower than 8 mg/dL
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: PaO2
<60mm Hg
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: Base deficit
> 4 mEq/L
Ranson’s (48hr) criteria: Established fluid sequestration
> 6 L
_________% cases of acute pancreatitis are self-limited and subside w/in _________days of tx.
85-90
3-7