Pancreatic Disease Flashcards
What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?
Digestive:
- Amylase-break down starch
- Lipase-Breakdown fat
- Proteases-breakdown proteins
What does “Pancreatic juice” contain?
- Electrolytes
- Bicarb
- Gastric Acid
*Neutralized gastric acid & provides basic environment for pancreatic enzymes
What is the release of pancreatic juice stimulated by?
- Gastric acid
- Cholecystokinin
- Vagal Stimulation
Endocrine function of the pancreas?
- Insulin: Lowe blood sugar
2. Glucagon: increase blood sugar
What kind of cells is amylase recreated form?
Pancreatic Acinar cells into the duodenum for starch digestion
When would you see an increase in amylase?
- Pancreatitis: damage to acinar cells
2. Obstruction of pancreatic duct flow: CA or CBD stones
How soon do you see an increase in amylase? When does it return to normal?
Rise=2 hrs of injury
Return to normal=48-72 hrs
NON-pancreatic elevation in Lipase
<3x ULN
How soon do you see an increase in lipase following injury? How long does it stay elevated?
Rise=24-28 hrs
Remain elevated=5-7 days
What accounts for 75% of acute pancreatitis
- Alcohol=#1 Drug/Toxin etiology
2. Gallstones= #1 Mechanical etiology
MC Metabolic etiology in acute pancreatitis?
Hypertriglyceridemia= >500
acute pancreatitis clinical presentation
- Acute midepgiastric pain: Constant, boring
- radiates to back
- +/- following a meal
- Aggravated: lying supine
- Relieved: Sitting and leaning forward
- N/V, anorexia
Vital signs in acute pancreatitis
- Fever
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Tachypnea
Abdomen PEx findings in acute pancreatitis
- Hypoactive or absent bowel sounds
- Significant mid-epigastric tenderness
- Necrotizing hemorrhage: Cullen’s sign, Grey-Turner’s sign
Lab findings in acute pancreatitis
- Amylase & Lipase: 3x normal*
- Leukocytosis: WBC 15-20K
- Hct: Elevated
- Cr: Elevated
- Calcium: decrease, hypocalcemia
- Glucose: slightly elevated
What lab findings are strongly suggestive of gallstone pancreatitis?
- ALT>150
2. Elevated bilirubin
What MAY you find on an abdominal x-ray in acute pancreatitis
Sentinel loop= localized ileus= dilated small bowel in LUQ
What would you want to use a CXR for in the setting of suspected acute pancreatitis
Rule out:
- Pulmonary infiltrates
- Pleural effusions
What is the diagnostic test of choice in acute pancreatitis? Findings?
CT abdomen
- Enlargement of pancreas
- Blurring of fat planes/fat stranding
What complications can an abdominal CT identify?
- Necrosis
- Pseudocysts
- Abscess
- Hemorrhage
What are some of the advantages of MRI/MRCP over CT?
- lower risk of nephrotoxicity
- Helpful if CBD stone not visualized on CT/US and biliary pancreatitis expected
- Increased characterization of fluid
What are the indications for ERCP?
- Visualization of biliary and pancreatic ductal anatomy
- Cytology or Bx can be obtained
- Therapeutic: Stone removal, stent insertion, sphincterotomy
When can you only use an ERCP?
Once acute sx’s have resolved
Acute pancreatitis Treatment
“Rest the Pancreas”
- NPO
- IV fluids: Hydration!
- Pain control: Meperidine (Demerol)
When are abx indicated in the treatment of acute pancreatitis?
Infected necrosis