Chronic pancreatitis

Question 1

List three causes of chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 1

alcohol excess (vast majority)
hypercalcaemia
hyperlipidaemia
trauma
iatrogenic
Genetic- CF

Question 2

Name three symptoms/signs of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 2

chronic abdo pain- epigastric
diabetes
ascites
statorrhoea
pleural effusion

Question 3

What is the treatment for chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 3

stop alcohol
analgesia
pancreatic enzyme replacement
insulin if diabetic
surgery- pancreatectomy, drainage, stenting

Question 4

Describe the pain in chronic pancreatitis

Answer 4

Epigastric pain radiates through to back, relieved by sitting back or hot water bottle, exacerbated by fatty food or alcohol

Question 5

Three investigations for chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 5

• ↑ glucose
• ↓ faecal elastase: ↓ exocrine function
• US: pseudocyst
• AXR: speckled pancreatic calcifications
• CT: pancreatic calcifications