Acute & Chronic pancreatitis

Question 1

describe the onset of acute pancreatitis

Answer 1

sudden onset acute abdominal pain, adult, elevated serum amylase, may be severely shocked

Question 2

give some examples of causes of acute pancreatitis

Answer 2

alcohol, cholelithiasis(gall stones), shock, mumps, hypothermia, trauma

Question 3

describe how gall stones can cause acute pancreatitis

Answer 3

can cause damage to bile ducts, causing bile reflux and damage to pancreatic duct epithelium

Question 4

what enzymes can the pancreas produce that can cause acute pancreatitis

Answer 4

lipases and proteases they are lytic enzymes that can cause tissue damage + necrosis in pancreatitis

Question 5

what are some of the complications of acute pancreatitis

Answer 5

death, shock, abscess formation, hypocalcaemia

Question 6

describe the onset of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 6

relapsing disorder that may occur insidiously or after recurrent bouts of acute pancreatitis

Question 7

what can cause chronic pancreatitis

Answer 7

alcohol, cystic fibrosis, cholelithiasis(gall stones)

Question 8

describe the pathology of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 8

replacement of pancreas by chronic inflammation and scar tissue