Midterm 1 Flashcards
where does the CBD lie in relation to the pancreas?
posterior to the head
what is the endocrine functions of the pancreas?
- Islet cells of Langerhans secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
- Failure to secrete sufficient insulin leads to diabetes
what do alpha cells secrete?
glucogon (increases blood glucose)
what do beta cells secrete?
insulin (decreases blood glucose)
what is the exocrine function of the pancreas?
Digestive enzymes secreted by the acinar cells drain into the duodenum through pancreatic ducts
what does amylase break down?
carbohydrates
what does lipase break down?
fats
what does trypsin break down?
proteins
what does serum amylase increase with?
- Acute pancreatitis
- Pancreatic pseudocyst
- Intestinal obstruction
- Peptic ulcer disease
what does serum amylase decrease with?
-hepatitis and cirrhosis
urine amylase
Remains increased longer than serum amylase in episodes of acute pancreatitis
what does serum lipase increase with?
Pancreatitis Obstruction of the pancreatic duct Pancreatic carcinoma Acute cholecystitis Cirrhosis Severe renal disease
what does glucose increase with?
Severe diabetes mellitus
Chronic liver disease
Overactivity of endocrine glands
what does glucose decrease with?
Tumors of islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
pseudomass
- not different shape
ex) larger head bulging to right of GDA
what measurement may indicate acute pancreatitis?
if the body exceeds 3cm AP
what is the most common variant of the pancreas?
pancreatic divisum
what is annular pancreas?
normal variant where the 2nd part of duodenum is surrounded by ring of pancreatic tissue (continuous with head of pancreas)
what patient history indicator could be pancreatitis?
epigastric pain
when would we use doppler when scanning the pancreas?
- if splenic vein does not appear anechoic and is overdistended
- pancreatitis
- any mass seen
what are some indications for exam of the pancreas?
- Severe epigastric pain
- Elevated pancreatic enzymes
- Biliary disease
- Abdominal distension
- Pancreatitis
- Weight loss/anorexia
- Pancreatic neoplasm
- Evaluate mass seen on CT
what is acute pancreatitis?
acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with variable involvement of other regional tissues or remote organ systems associated with raised pancreatic enzyme levels in blood or urine
what are the causes of acute pancreatitis?
- gall stones
- alcoholism
- idiopathic
what are some other causes if acute pancreatitis?
- Choledocholithiasis
- Biliary sludge
- Neoplasm
- Infection
- Toxins
- Drugs
- e.t.c
what is shown up on blood tests for acute pancreatitis?
amylase and lipase elevated
what the sonographic findings of acute pancreatitis?
- GB and bile ducts assessed for stones
- enlargement of the pancreas also occurs
how can the pancreas tissue appear with acute pancreatitis?
can appear hypoechoic and or enlarged due to interstitial edema
what else do we look at when scanning for acute pancreatitis?
- surrounding tissue and potential spaces (sacs to look for fluid)
- biliary system
what appears on sonography with pancreatitis?
- hypoechoic or anechoic collections that conform to the retroperitoneal or peritoneal space
- ascites
what are some local complications that can occur with pancreatitis?
- Acute fluid collections
- Pseudocysts (fluid collection persisting >6wks)
- Abscess
- Necrosis
what are some vascular complications that can occur with pancreatitis?
- Hemorrhage
- Venous thrombosis
- Pseudoaneurysms
what percent of patients with acute pancreatitis develop acute fluid collections?
40%
what is a pseudocyst?
fluid collection persist over 6wks
why is a pseudocyst not considered a true cyst?
Not considered true cyst or cystic neoplasm b/c does not have epithelial lining
what percent does the pseudocyst comprise cystic lesion of the pancreas?
75-90%
where are pseudocysts most commonly seen?
chronic pancreatitis
what is the sonographic appearance of pseudocysts?
Can range in appearance from almost purely cystic to collections with considerable mural irregularity, septations and internal echogenic debris from
- necrosis
- hemorrhage
- infection
what is a pseudocyst hard to differentiate from?
cystic neoplasm
WE KNOW FROM IMPORTANACE OF CLINICAL INFORMATION
when does necrosis and abscess occur?
- parachyma over 3cm
- abcess occurs if fluid collection becomes infected-pus filled collections-air
- psedocysts that become infected can be drained or excised
what are the 2 most useful modalities for acute pancreatitis?
- CECT
- abdominal US
when is CECT used?
necrosis
when is CT used?
- determining delayed complications of acute pancreatitis
- guiding aspiration and drainage
what is chronic pancreatitis?
Intermittent pancreatic inflammation with progressive irreversible damage to the gland
what is the predominant cause of chronic pancreatitis?
alcoholism
what are some other causes of chronic pancreatitis?
- Pancreatic duct obstruction
- Hypertriglyceremia
- Hypercalcemia
- Auto-immune pancreatitis
- Tropical pancreatitis
- Genetic mutations
what are the signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?
- pain
- malabsorption
- diabetes
what does chronic pancreatitis lead to?
- Fibrosis
- Cellular damage
- Chronic inflammation
- Distorted/blocked ducts
- permanent structural changes
- Deficient endocrine and exocrine function
what are some sonographic findings of chronic pancreatitis?
- Altered parenchymal texture
- Glandular atrophy
- Or gland enlargement
- Focal masses
- Dilation and beading of pancreatic duct with calcifications
- Pseudocysts
what is the treatment of uncomplicated chronic pancreatitis?
- alleviate pain
- control malabsorption
what is the treatment of complicated chronic pancreatitis?
surgery and endoscopy
what are the complications of chronic pancreatitis?
- Pseudocysts (more common in chronic)
- Abscesses
- Malignancies
- Thrombosis of portals
- Pancreatic and bile duct obstruction—-double duct sign
the presence of what points to chronic pancreatitis?
calcification