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Pancreas Flashcards

1
Q

Embryology of pancreas

A

Dorsal and ventral pancreatic buds- ventral bud rotates clockwise to fuse with the larger dorsal bud and create the duct of Wirsung- the main pancreatic duct

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2
Q

What happens if the dorsal and ventral pancreatic buds don’t fuse?

A

Pancreas divisum- duct of Santorini drains a part of the exocrine pancreas thru a separate minor duodenal papilla.
Aw pancreatitis

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3
Q

What is annular pancreas?

A

Ventral bud doesn’t rotate, so duod is encircled.

Can cause duodenal obstruction

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4
Q

Anatomic location of the pancreas

A

Retroperitoneal
Posterior to stomach
Anterior to IVC and Ao
4 parts- head (incl uncinate process), neck, body, tail
Transverse orientation- head is by C loop of duod, body is over spine, tail is in splenic hilum

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5
Q

Arterial blood supply to pancreatic head

A

Anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.
These are from the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, which is a continuation of the gastroduodenal artery, and also from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, which is from the SMA.

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6
Q

Arterial supply to body and tail

A

Branches of splenic and L gastroepiploic arteries

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7
Q

Where does venous drainage go to after the pancreas?

A

follows arterial anatomy and enters the portal circulation

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8
Q

What nerves are responsible for transmitting pancreatic pain?

A

Sympathetic nerves

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9
Q

Which nerves innervate islet, acini, and ductal systems?

A

Efferent postganglionic parasympathetic

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10
Q

What surgery is done for pts with intractible pain from chronic pancreatitis?

A

Splanchnicectomy (sympathectomy)

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11
Q

What are the fnl units of the endocrine pancreas?

A

Islets of Langerhans- multiple small glands scattered thru-out pancr, only make up 1-2% of pancreas (the rest is exocrine tsu)

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12
Q

What are the types of islet cells?

A

Alpha
Beta
Delta
F (Pancreatic Polypeptide)

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13
Q

What do alpha cells make? And when?

A

Glucagon
Secreted in response to AAs, CCK, gastrin, catecholamins, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves
Ensures fuel during periods of fasting

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14
Q

What effects do alpha cells have on the liver?

A

Promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis

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15
Q

What effects do alpha cells have on the stomach?

A

Inhibits GI mobility and gastric acid secretion

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16
Q

What do beta cells make? And when?

A

Insulin
In response to glucose, AAs, vagal stimulation.
After meals- promotes storage of ingested nutrients

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17
Q

Where in the circulation is insulin released?

A

Into portal circulation

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18
Q

T/F Insulin locally inhibits alpha cells from secreting glucagon

A

True

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19
Q

What does insulin do in the liver?

A

Inhibits gluconeogenesis
Promotes synthesis and storage of glycogen
Prevents glycogen breakdown

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20
Q

What does insulin do in adipose?

A

increases glucose uptake by adipocytes
promotes triglyceride storage
inhibits lipolysis

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21
Q

What does insulin do in muscle?

A

promotes synthesis of glycogen and protein

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22
Q

What is secreted by delta cells? and when?

A

Somatostatin

same stimuli that promote insulin release- AAs, glucose, vagal stim

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23
Q

What does somatostatin do?

A

decreases pancreatic exocrine fn, reducing splanchnic blood flow, decreasing gastrin and gastric acid production, reducing gastric emptying time- these all slow the mvmt of nutrients from the intestine into circulation
Also has inhibitory effects on insulin, glucagon, PP secretion

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24
Q

What do F cells secrete? and when?

A

PP (pancreatic polypeptide)
after ingestion of a mixed meal
fn unknown.

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25
Basic fnl unit of exocrine pancreas
Acinus. Acinar cells contain zymogen granules in the apical region of the cytoplasm. Acini are drained by a converging ductal system that terminates in the main pancreatic excretory duct. Centroacinar cells of individual acini form origins of ducts, mixed with intercalated duct cells.
26
Where do exocrine pancreatic secretions come from? (which cells)?
both ductal and acinar cells.
27
What do ductal cells secrete?
clear, basic, isotonic soln of water and electrolytes, rich in bicarb
28
What controls secretion of pancreatic fluid from ductal cells?
Secretin- hormone produced in mucosal S cells of crypts of Lieberkuhn in proximal small bowel. Presence of intraluminal acid and bile in the sml bowel stimulates secretin rls. Secretin binds to pancreatic ductal cell receptors and makes the ductal cells secrete fluid.
29
Where are pancreatic digestive enz excreted from?
Made and excreted by acinar cells (after acinar cells are stimulated by secretagogues CCK and ACh
30
What are the pancreatic digestive enz?
Endopeptidases- trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, proelastase Exopeptidases- procarboxypeptidase A and B Amylase Lipase Colipase
31
T/F all peptidases are secreted into the ductal system as inactive precursors
True. First trypsinogen is converted to active trypsin, and then trypsin converts everything else. Note: amylase and lipase are excreted into the ductal system in their active forms (different from peptidases)
32
What converts trypsinogen to trypsin?
Duodenal mucosal enterokinase
33
Etiologies of acute pancreatits
alcoholism | gallstone dz
34
Pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis
Unclear, but maybe: obstruction of the ampulla of vater by gallstones, spasm, or edema causes the intraductal prs to rise and bile to reflux into the pancreatic duct. Activation of intraparenchymal enz causes tsu destruction and ischemic necrosis of the pancreas and of retroperitoneal tsus
35
T/F acute pancreatitis has a variable presentation
True | can vary from mild parenchymal edema to life-threatening hemorrhagic pancreatitis
36
HPE of acute pancreatitis
Hx of prior pancreatitis, alcoholism, biliary colic Upper abd pain radiating to back Naus/vom, low fever, tachycardia Severe attack- hypotension, sepsis, multiorgan failure If from alcohol, will be 12-48 hrs after alcohol ingestion Upper abd tenderness but no peritoneal signs Slightly distended abd dt paralytic ileus
37
DD for acute pancreatits
``` perforated peptic ulcer acute biliary tract dz acute intestinal obstruction acute mesenteric thrombosis leaking AAA ```
38
T/F An elevated serum amylase level is specific for acute pancreatitis
False, can also have elevated level in intestinal obstruction or perforated peptic ulcer However, lipase is solely of pancreatic origin, so if amylase is high and it's unclear, measure lipase.
39
Blood work findings in acute pancreatitis
Elevated amylase, lipase Leukocytosis >10k Hemoconcentration w azotemia (high nitrogen levels) Hyperglycemia (dt hypoinsulinemia) Hypocalcemia (dt Ca2+ deposition in areas of fat necrosis)
40
Dx Eval in acute pancreatitis: XR
CXR- left pleural effusion (sympathetic effusion) secondary to peripancreatic inflam; air under diaphragm indicates perf of hollow viscus, eg perf'd peptic ulcer Abd XR- sentinel loop of dilated duod or jej located in LUQ, next to inflamed pancreas If gallstone pancreatitis, will also see gallstones in RUQ
41
What is the imaging of choice for the GB and biliary system?
US | study of choice for detection of choledocholithiasis in gallstone pancreatitis
42
Imaging of choice for acute pancreatitis
CT- all pts show evidence of either parenchymal or peri-pancreatic inflam. CT is also good for showing pancreatic necrosis, pseudocyst
43
Besides US and CT, what other modality is useful for dx eval of acute pancreatitis?
ERCP- in cases of gallstone pancreatitis, can see and extract stones in the CBD. Also MRcholangiopancreatography is diagnostic but not therapeutic
44
What is used to predict severity of disease in acute pancreatitis?
``` Ranson criteria. # of criteria present at admission and during first 48 hrs shows mortality. Criteria at admission: age >55 wbc >16k serum glucose >200 serum LDH >150 SGOT >250 ```
45
What kinds of infections can cause acute pancreatitis?
mycoplasma mumps Coxsackie also ascaris (bc it can cause obstruction of pancreatic duct)
46
T/F Most cases of acute pancreatitis will eventually need surgery.
False. Most cases are self-limited and resolve spontaneously.
47
Rx for acute pancreatitis
Supportive care, Rx for complications as they arise | Hydration, NPO, Abx, O2 therapy
48
Why is hydration important in treating acute pancreatitis?
bc third spacing occurs secondary to parenchymal and retroperitoneal inflam. If there is hypovolemia, pancreatic ischemia can quickly develop dt inadequate splanchnic blood flow
49
Why are pts with acute pancreatitis given NPO?
To decrease pancreatic stimulation. If NPO for a long period, give IV nutirition. Afterwards, start oral intake w low-fat, high carb liquids to avoid pancreatic stimulation.
50
Why is oxygen therapy needed in treating acute pancreatitis?
Hypoxia often occurs secondary to pulmonary changes (probably d/t circulating mediators) Look for atelectasis, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, ARDS on CXR.
51
How can you detect pancreatic necrosis?
CT with contrast | Non-enhancement of 50% or more of the pancreas is a strong predictor for infectious complications.
52
How are infected pancreatic collections treated?
Surgical debridement and drainage (to avoid sepsis)
53
What is a pancreatic pseudocyst?
peripancreatic collections that persist after inflammatory phase and develop and thickened wall.
54
Rx for pancreatic pseudocyst
Surgical drainage for cysts >6cm diameter | Internal drainage into stomach, duod, sml intestine
55
How do pancreatic abscesses form?
Ischemic pancreatic parenchyma progresses to necrosis; it is seeded by bacteria, and then an abscess forms. Bacteria is usually enteric.
56
Rx for pancreatic abscess
Abx don't work- need to drain it completely. And debridement too. Percutaneous drainage usu not good enough, bc only fluid is removed but necrotic tsu still stays.
57
Why can hemorrhage occur in acute pancreatitis?
Secondary to erosion of blood vessels by activated proteases. Life threatening. Usu main hepatic, gastroduodenal, or splenic artery. Do angiography, if that can't stop bleeding, do surgery.
58
What is chronic pancreatitis
Sml number of acute pancreatitis progresses to chronic- persistent inflam that causes destructive fibrosis of the gland. Recurring/persistent upper abd pain w evidence of malabs, steatorrhea, DM
59
What are the two forms of chronic pancreatitis?
calcific pancreatitis- usu a/w alcohol abuse | obstructive pancreatitis- secondary to pancreatic duct obstruction
60
What is calcific pancreatitis?
ductal plugging and occlusion by protein and mineral precipitates--> resulting inflam and fibrosis leads to parenchymal destruction and eventual atrophy of the gland. usu alcohol-induced.
61
What is chronic obstructive pancreatitis
Ductal blockage secondary to scarring from acute pancreatitis or trauma, papillary stenosis, pseudocyst, or tumor. Blockage results in upstream duct dilatation and inflam.
62
HPE for chronic pancreatitis
``` Abd pain (upper abd, radiating to back)- can be intermittent or persistent. Pts often addicted to narcotic pain relievers Can see sx of exocrine insufficiency- malabsorption and of endocrine insufficiency- DM ```
63
Dx eval for chronic pancreatitis
ERCP is most useful, but US and CT also used. Need to show pathologic changes over time. see inflammed, atrophied gland, dilated and strictured pancreatic duct, presence of caliculi- ERCP best shows these
64
Rx for chronic pancreatitis
Control abd pain- opiates good but addictive long term Rx for pancreatic insufficiency is oral pancreatic enz Insulin used to treat DM Pt must stop using alcohol. Surg only if med therapy fails. Drain pancreatic duct and resect diseased tsu.
65
What surgery is needed for "chain of lakes"-appearing pancreatic duct?
longitudinal pancreatico-jejun-ostomy (Puestow procedure)- Roux-en-Y segment of prox jej is anastomosed side-to-side w opened pancreatic duct, so drainage can occur. chain of lakes is dt sequential ductal scarring and dilation.
66
What is the Rx for distal pancreatic duct obstruction?
Distal pancreatectomy
67
What is the most common type of pancreatic cancer?
Ductal adenocarcinoma (80%), usu in pancreatic head.
68
Where mets from pancreatic cancer go?
Regional lymph nodes and liver | Also, local spread to nearby structures occurs early.
69
HPE for pancreatic ca
``` obstructive jaundice weight loss constant deep abd pain (dt peri-pancr tumor infiltration) Courvoisier's sign pruritis (w jaundice) ```
70
What is Courvoisier's sign
Jaundice plus non-tender palpable GB- indicates tumor obstruction of the distal bile duct.
71
DD for malignant obstructive jaundice
carcinoma of ampulla of vater carcinoma of pancr head carcinoma of distal CBD duodenal carcinoma
72
Dx eval for pancr ca
elevated alk phos and direct bilirubin (these mean obstructive jaundice) CT- location, extent of invasion, mets, degree of ductal dilation ERCP- shows ductal anatomy, can get biopsy, stent placement
73
T/F the average bilirubin level in bile duct obstruction from GB dz is higher than the level in neoplastic obstruction
False. Bilirubin level is higher with neoplastic obstruction- that's why you can use it (plus alk phos) to know that there is obstructive jaundice
74
What factors suggest that a pancreatic tumor cannot be resected?
``` local extension contiguous organ invasion SMV or portal vein invasion ascites distant mets ```
75
Rx for resectable pancreatic tumors
Whipple- pancreaticoduodenectomy | En bloc resection of antrum of stomach, duod, prox jej, head of pancr, GB, and distal CBD
76
T/F tumors of pancreatic body and tail are fatal
True- dx is made at a more advanced stage. | but all pancr ca has a very poor pgx, even with whipple

Surgery (20 decks)

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