Pancreas pathology Flashcards
What is pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas
What are the types of pancreatitis?
Acute
Chronic
What causes acute pancreatitis?
Activation of pancreatic protease enzymes in the pancreas itself
these enzymes digest the pancreas and the retroperitoneum
What causes activation of pancreatic protease enzymes within the pancreas itself?
Alcohol
Gallstones
How does alcohol cause activation of pancreatic protease enzymes within the pancreas itself?
Disturbs the balance between pancreatic protease enzymes and protease inhibitors
How do gallstones cause activation of pancreatic protease enzymes within the pancreas itself?
Obstruct the ampulla of vater, pancreatic duct behind it
pancreatic enzymes build up in the pancreatic duct
bile enters the pancreatic duct
Wha are the signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
Epigastric pain that goes through to the back
Vomiting
What investigations are done for acute pancreatitis?
Serum amylase or lipase
CT scan
What are serum amylase or lipase levels with acute pancreatitis?
Raised
How is acute pancreatitis treated?
Analgesia
Fluid resuscitation
Why is fluid resuscitation given for acute pancreatitis?
Because of loss of fluid into retroperitoneum
What may be seen on a CT scan with acute pancreatitis?
Pancreatic necrosis
Pancreatic oedema, pseudocyst
What is a pancreatic pseudocyst?
Collection of fluid in the retroperitoneum
How is a pancreatic pseudocyst treated?
Joining the pseudocyst to the stomach
making an opening between the two
so the pseudocyst drains into the stomach
What type of carcinoma are pancreatic carcinomas most commonly?
Ductal adenocarcinoma
