Pancreas Flashcards
What structure is the tail of the pancreas said to “tickle”?
Spleen
What are the 2 pancreatic ducts?
- Wirsung duct
2. Santorini duct
Which duct is the main duct?
Wirsung duct (Mnemonic: Santorini = Small)
How is the blood supplied to the head of the pancreas?
- Celiac –> gastroduodenal –> anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal
- SMA –> anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal
- Splenic –> dorsal pancreatic
Why must the duodenum be removed if the head of the pancreas is removed?
They share the same blood supply (gastroduodenal)
What is the endocrine portion of the pancreas?
Islets of Langerhans
What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?
Digestive enzymes: amylase, lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase
What maneuver is used to mobilize the duodenum and pancreas and evaluate the entire pancreas?
Kocher maneuver: Incise the lateral attachments of the duodenum and then lift the pancreas to examine the posterior surface
What is acute pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas
What are the most common etiologies of acute pancreatitis in the US?
- Alcohol abuse
- Gallstones
- Idiopathic
What is the acronym to remember all the causes of pancreatitis?
I GET SMASHED:
Idiopathic, Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Scorpion bite, Mumps (viruses), Autoimmune, Steroids, Hyperlipidemia, ERCP, Drugs
What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
Epigastric pain (frequently radiating to the back), N/V
What are the signs of pancreatitis?
Epigastric tenderness, diffuse abdominal tenderness, decreased bowel sounds (adynamic ileus), fever, dehydration, shock
What is the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?
Gastritis, PUD, perforated viscus, acute cholecystitis, SBO, mesenteric ischemia, ruptured AAA, biliary colic, inferior MI, pneumonia
What lab tests should be ordered for acute pancreatitis?
CBC, LFT, amylase/lipase, T&C, ABG, Ca, coags, serum lipids
What are the associated diagnostic findings for acute pancreatitis?
Lab: high amylase, lipase, WBC
AXR: sentinel loop, colon cutoff, possibly gallstones
U/S: phlegmon, cholelithiasis
CT: phlegmon, pancreatic necrosis
What is the most common sign of pancreatitis on AXR?
Sentinel loops
What is the treatment for acute pancreatitis?
NPO, IVF, NGT if vomiting, +/- TPN vs. post-pyloric tube feeds, H2 blocker, PPI, analgesia (Demerol), correction of coags/electrolytes, +/- alcohol withdrawal prophylaxis
What are the possible complications of acute pancreatitis?
Pseudocyst, abscess/infection, pancreatic necrosis, splenic/mesenteric/portal vessel rupture or thrombosis, pancreatic ascites/pleural effusion, diabetes, ARDS, sepsis, MOF, coagulopathy, DIC, encephalopathy, severe hypocalcemia
What is the prognosis of acute pancreatitis?
Based on Ranson’s criteria
Are post-pyloric tube feeds safe in acute pancreatitis?
Yes
What are Ranson’s criteria at presentation for acute pancreatitis?
- Age > 55
- WBC > 16,000
- Glucose > 200
- AST > 250
- LDH > 350
What are Ranson’s criteria during the initial 48 hours of acute pancreatitis?
- Base deficit > 4
- BUN increase > 5 mg/dL
- Fluid sequestration > 6 L
- Serum Ca < 8
- Hct decrease > 10%
- PO2 < 60 mmHg
How can the admission Ranson criteria be remembered?
GA LAW: Glucose > 200 Age > 55 LDH > 350 AST > 250 WBC > 16,000
How can the Ranson’s criteria at less than 48 hours be remembered?
C HOBBS: Calcium < 8 mg/dL Hct drop > 10% O2 < 60 Base deficit > 4 BUN > 5 increase Sequestration > 6L
How can the AST vs. LDH values in Ranson’s criteria be remembered?
A before L and 250 before 350
What is the etiology of hypocalcemia with pancreatitis?
Fat saponification: fat necrosis binds to calcium
What complication is associated with splenic vein thrombosis?
Gastric varices (treat with splenectomy)
Can TPN with lipids be given to a patient with pancreatitis?
Yes, if the patient does not suffer from hyperlipidemia
What is the least common cause of acute pancreatitis?
Scorpion bite (from Trinidad)
What is chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic inflammation of the pancreas region causing destruction of the parenchyma, fibrosis, and calcification, resulting in loss of endocrine and exocrine function
What are the subtypes of chronic pancreatitis?
- Chronic calcific pancreatitis
2. Chronic obstructive pancreatitis
What are the causes of chronic pancreatitis?
Alcohol abuse, idiopathic, hypercalcemia (hyperparathyroidism), hyperlipidemia, familial, trauma, iatrogenic, gallstones
What are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?
Epigastric and/or back pain, weight loss, steatorrhea
What are the associated signs of chronic pancreatitis?
Type 1 diabetes, steatorrhea, weight loss
What are the signs of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency?
Steatorrhea (fat malabsorption from lipase insufficiency), malnutrition
What are the signs of pancreatic endocrine insufficiency?
Diabetes (glucose intolerance)
What are the common pain patterns of chronic pancreatitis?
Unrelenting pain, recurrent pain
What is the differential diagnosis for chronic pancreatitis?
PUD, biliary tract disease, AAA, pancreatic cancer, angina
What percentage of patients with chronic pancreatitis have or will develop pancreatic cancer?
2%
What are the appropriate lab tests for chronic pancreatitis?
Amylase/lipase, 72-hr fecal fat analysis, glucose tolerance test
Why may amylase/lipase be normal in a patient with chronic pancreatitis?
Because of extensive pancreatic tissue loss
What radiographic tests should be performed for chronic pancreatitis?
CT: gland enlargement or atrophy, pseudocysts, calcifications, masses
KUB: calcifications
ERCP: ductal irregularities with dilation and stenosis, pseudocysts
What is the medical treatment for chronic pancreatitis?
D/c alcohol use, insulin, pancreatic enzyme replacement, narcotics
What is the surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis?
Puestow (longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy); Duval (distal pancreaticojejunostomy); near-total pancreatectomy
What is the Frey procedure?
Longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy with core resection of the pancreatic head
What is the indication for surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis?
Severe, prolonged or refractory pain
What are the possible complications of chronic pancreatitis?
Insulin-dependent diabetes, steatorrhea, malnutrition, biliary obstruction, splenic vein thrombosis, gastric varices, pancreatic pseudocyst, abscess, narcotic addiction, pancreatic ascites/pleural effusion, splenic artery aneurysm
What is gallstone pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis from a gallstone in or passing through the ampulla of Vater
How is the diagnosis of gallstone pancreatitis made?
Acute pancreatitis and cholelithiasis and/or choledocholithiasis and no other cause of pancreatitis
What radiologic tests should be performed for gallstone pancreatitis?
U/S: look for gallstones
CT: look at pancreas, if symptoms are severe
What is the treatment for gallstone pancreatitis?
Conservative measures and early interval cholecystectomy, IOC after pancreatic inflammation resolves
Why should early interval cholecystectomy be performed on patients with gallstone pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis will recur in 33% of patients within 8 weeks
What is the role of ERCP?
- Cholangitis
2. Refractory choledocholithiasis
What is hemorrhagic pancreatitis?
Bleeding into the parenchyma and retroperitoneal structures with extensive pancreatic necrosis
What are the signs of hemorrhagic pancreatitis?
Abdominal pain, shock, ARDS, Cullen’s sign, Grey-Turner’s sign, Fox’s sign
What is Cullen’s sign?
Bluish discoloration of the periumbilical are from retroperitoneal hemorrhage tracking around to the anterior abdominal wall through fascial planes
What is Grey-Turner’s sign?
Ecchymosis or discoloration of the flank in patients with retroperitoneal hemorrhage from dissecting blood from the retroperitoneum
(Grey TURNer = TURN side to side = flank)