CH11 - Exocrine Pancreas, Gallbladder, and Liver Pathology Flashcards
What is annular pancreas?
Developmental malformation in which the pancreas forms a ring around the duodenum
In annular pancreas what is there a risk of?
duodenal obstruction
What is acute pancreatitis?
Inflammation and hemorrhage of the pancreas
What is acute pancreatitis due to?
autodigestion of pancreatic parenchyma by pancreatic enzymes
What does premature activation of trypsin lead to?
activation of other pancreatic enzymes
What does acute pancreatitis result in?
liquefactive hemorrhagic necrosis of the pancreas and fat necrosis of the peripancreatic fat
What is acute pancreatitis most commonly due to?
alcohol and gallstones;
Beside alcohol and gallstones what are some other causes of acute pancreatitis?
include trauma, hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia, drugs, scorpion stings, mumps, and rupture of a posterior duodenal ulcer
What are the clinical features for acute pancreatitis?
1) Epigastric abdominal pain that radiates to the back 2) Nausea and vomiting 3) Periumbilical and flank hemorrhage 4) Elevated serum lipase and amylase - lipase is more specific for pancreatic damage 5) Hypocalcemia - calcium is consumed during saponification in fat necrosis
In acute pancreatitis why is there periumbilical and flank hemorrhage?
necrosis spreads into the periumbilical soft tissue and retroperitoneum
In acute pancreatitis why is there elevated serum lipase and amylase?
lipase is more specific for pancreatic damage
What are the complications for acute pancreatitis?
- Shock 2. Pancreatic pseudocyst 3. Pancreatic abscess 4. DIC and ARDS
In acute pancreatitis why is shock one of the complications?
Its due to peripancreatic hemorrhage and fluid sequestration
In acute pancreatitis what happens in pancreatic pseudocyst?
Its formed by fibrous tissue surrounding liquefactive necrosis and pancreatic enzymes
How does a pancreatic pseudocyst present?
as an abdominal mass with persistently elevated serum amylase
What happens when a pancreatic pseudocyst ruptures?
it is associated with release of enzymes into the abdominal cavity and hemorrhage.
What is pancreatic abscess often due to?
Ecoli
How does pancreatic abscess present?
with abdominal pain, high fever, and persistently elevated amylase
What happens in chronic pancreatitis?
Fibrosis of pancreatic parenchyma, most often secondary to recurrent acute pancreatitis
What is chronic pancreatitis most commonly due to?
Alcohol in adults and cystic fibrosis in children, many cases are idiopathic.
What does acute pancreatitis leading to pancreatic insufficiency result in?
malabsorption with steatorrhea and fat soluble vitamin deficiencies. Amylase and lipase are not useful serologic markers of chronic pancreatitis.
What are the clinical features of acute pancreatitis?
- epigastric abdominal pain that radiates to the back 2. Pancreatic insufficiency 3. Dystrophic calcification of pancreatic parenchyma on imaging, contrast studies reveal a [chain of lakes] pattern due to dilatation of pancreatic ducts. 4. Secondary diabetes mellitus 5. Increased risk for pancreatic carcinoma
In acute pancreatitis why is there a chain of lakes pattern on contrast studies?
It is due to the dilation of pancreatic ducts and dystrophic calcification of pancreatic parenchyma
How is secondary diabetes mellitus related to acute pancreatitis?
It?s a late complication due to destruction of the islets