Liver, Biliary Tract and Pancreas Flashcards
What are the only two unsaturated fatty acids?
Linoleic acid
Linolenic acid
How much does the pancreas secrete daily?
1.5L fluid
What are the four lipolytic enzymes?
Lipase
Colipase
Phospholipase A2
Cholesterol esterase
What stimulates secretion of secretin?
Luminal acid
What does secretin stimulate release of?
Bicarbonate
What stimulates secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK)?
Proteins and fats
What does release of CCK do?
Gallbladder contraction
Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion
What does bicarbonate released from the pancreas do?
Neutralises gastric acid - intraluminal pH increases from 2 to 6/7
What stops the release of secretin?
Neutralisation of acid by bicarbonate
What are the three major types of cells in the pancreas?
Duct cells
Acinar cells
Islet cells
What are the most prevalent type of cells in the pancreas?
Acinar cells
What do duct cells secrete?
Bicarbonate
What do acinar cells secrete?
Pancreatic enzymes
What are some causes of acute pancreatitis?
Obstructive Drug/toxin/metabolic Infectious Vascular Trauma Idiopathic
Worldwide, what is the leading cause of acute pancreatitis?
Gallstones
What is the leading cause of acute pancreatitis in UK?
Alcohol
What is the best imaging technique for diagnosing gallstone pancreatitis?
Ultrasonography
What blood tests would you do for acute pancreatitis?
Serum lipase (more sensitive than amylase)
CRP
FBC, U&E, LFTs, glucose
When would a CT be used in pancreatitis?
To determine pancreatic necrosis
Look for tumours, as an unusual cause of pancreatitis
What are the causes of chronic pancreatitis?
Hereditary
Tropical
Autoimmune
Cystic fibrosis
What diagnostic marker is used for pancreatic cancer?
CA19-9
What type of cancer are most pancreatic cancers?
Adenocarcinoma
Where do most pancreatic cancers originate?
Main pancreatic duct
What is a definite risk factor for pancreatic cancer?
Smoking
What are the effects of pancreatic insufficiency?
Malabsorption - leading to diarrhoea and steatorrhoea
Weight loss
Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
Diabetes
What are causes of pancreatic insufficiency?
Chronic pancreatitis - normally alcohol
Cystic fibrosis - children
Duct obstruction - normally cancer
Pancreatic atrophy - elderly
What test would measure pancreatic exocrine function in faeces?
Faecal elastase
When would pancreatic biopsy and cytology be done?
For diagnosis of cancer
Autoimmune pancreatitis
What is the presentation of acute pancreatitis?
Severe upper abdo pain
Vomiting
Prostration