Chapter 19- Pancreas Flashcards
Which cells in the pancreas are responsible for the majority of secreted enzymes and what is the that percentage
Acinar cells account for 80-85% of exocrine (digestion) enzymes
How does the embryological origin of the pancreas lead to congenital abnormalities
- Ventral outpouch gives rise to posterior head/main pancreatic duct
- Dorsal outpouch gives rise to body, tail, superior head/accessory duct
What is the most common congenital abnormality of the pancreas
Pancreas divisium
What is occurring during the process of pancreas divisium formation
Failure of the fetal systems of the ventral and dorsal out-pouches do not fuse
What is the structural abnormality and result of pancreas divisium
Because the ducts do not form, the majority of the pancreatic secretions drains in the duodenum drains through the minor papilla and not through the duct of Wirsung like normal
What is the clinical consequences as a result of pancreas divisum
Increased susceptibility to acute pancreatitis and subsequent chronic pancreatitis
What is annular pancreas
Band like ring of normal pancreatic tissue that completely surrounds the second part of the duodenum
What is the clinical consequence of annular pancreas
Produces duodenal obstruction
What is the gene commonly seen when there is pancreatic agenesis
PDX1
What is the state of reversibility of acute pancreatitis
Reversible
What are the two major pathways of acute pancreatitis and what percentage of cases seen do they make up
80% of cases are:
- Biliary tract disease
- Alcoholism
What is the gender ratio of biliary tract disease causing acute pancreatitis
3:1 females
What is the gender ration of alcoholism causing acute pancreatitis
6:1 male
What is the pathogenesis that is causing acute pancreatitis
Inappropriate release and activation of pancreatic enzymes which causes an inflammatory reaction
What is the process/enzymes present during acute pancreatitis that are released prematurely
-Activation of trypsin causes the activation of phospholipases and proelastases, which damage the fat and vessel of the pancreas
How does acute pancreatitis lead to clotting and complement system involvement
Trypsin activates prelalikrein, which activates:
- Coagulation factor 7
- Complement fixation
What are the three main mechanisms involved during acute pancreatitis
1-Pancreatic duct obstruction
2-Primary acinar cell injury
3-Defective intracellular transport of proenzymes within acinar cells
What are pancreatic duct obstructions during acute pancreatitis commonly caused by
Gallstones and biliary sludge
Which two organisms can readily cause pancreatic duct obstruction
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Clonorchis sinensis
Which enzyme is released in the activated form from the pancreas and what is the result
Lipase is secreted in the activated form, so has the potential to cause local fat necrosis
What is the result of primary acinar cell injury during acute pancreatitis
Release of digestive enzymes, oinflammation and autodigestion of pancreatic tissue
What is the trigger that is linked to the inappropriate activation of enzymes during acute pancreatitis
Calcium influx, which is the regulator of trypsin activation
How can damage of acinar cells with regards to intracellular transporting cause damage in acute pancreatitis
Proenzymes are delivered to the lysosomes, where they are activated by the hydrolases and released
What is the effect of alcohol on the pancreas
- Contraction of the sphincter of Oddi
- deposition of protein plugs
- Toxic to acinar cells
How can chronic alcoholism cause damage to the pancreas
-Deposition of protein plugs that result in obstruction of the pancreatic ducts
What is the mechanism that alcohol can cause direct toxicity to the pancreas
Damages the acinar cells, which causes inflammation,
Which metabolic conditions are known to cause acute pancreatitis
- Hypertriglycerides
- Hypercalcemic
- HyperPTH
Which drugs are known to cause acute pancreatitis
- Furosemide
- azathioprine
- 2,3-dideoxyinosine
- Estrogens
Which infections are known to cause acute pancreatis
Mumps (damages acinar cells)
What is the main underlying factor that is seen in Hereditary forms of acute pancreatitis
-Defect that causes the increased activation or sustained activity of trypsin
Most hereditary cases of acute pancreatitis are caused by what kind of mutations and in which gene
Gain of function in the trypsinogen gene (aka PRSS1)
What is the lifelong risk percent of hereditary pancreatitis
40%
What are iatrogenic injuries that can cause acute pancreatitis
- Operative injury
- Endoscopic procedure with dye injection
What are the vascular events that can cause acute pancreatitis
- Shock
- Atheroembolism
- Vasculitis
What is the most common cause of hereditary cases and what is the pattern of inheritance
- Gain of function mutation in PRSS1 (aka trypsin)
- Autosomal dominant
What are the histological morphologies seen in acute interstitial pancreatitis, and what is the cause
-Fat necrosis (lipase caused), which combine with calcium to form granular blue fat cells
What are the histological morphologies seen in acute necrotizing pancreatitis, and what is the cause
Substance is red-black from the hemorrhage, with white chalky fat necrosis scattered within
During acute necrotizing pancreatitis, what is a seconadary area commonly affected and morphologically what is seen there
-Peritoneal cavity contains serous, turbid, brown tinges fluid containing fat globules
What is the cardinal manifestation of acute pancreatitis
-abdominal pain
How is the pain during acute pancreatitis characterized
-constant but intense pain in the upper back, sometimes including the left shoulder
What are the diagnostic features seen for acute pancreatitis
Elevated lipase (72 to 96 hours) and amylase (first 24 hours) in the plasma
What are the systemic consequences that are possible due to acute pancreatitis
- DIC
- Acute respiratory distress
- acute renal tubular necrosis
What is the management plan taken with acute pancreatitis
Resting the pancreas but restriction of oral intake, IV fluids, and analgesia