Pancreatic Pathology Flashcards
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute inflammation of the exocrine pancreas resulting in reversible destruction/auto digestion by it’s own digestive enzymes
What causes acute pancreatitis?
I GET SMASHED
Idiopathic
Gallstones
Ethanol
Trauma
Scorpio stings
Mumps
Autoimmune
Steroids
Hypercalcaemia, hypothermia
ERCP
Drugs
What drugs can cause acute pancreatitis?
Sodium valproate
Azathioprine
Mesalazine
Fuorsemide/thiazide diuretics
Tetracycline
Co-trimoxazole
How does acute pancreatitis present?
Acute epigastric pain
- Sitting forward relieves pain
- Radiation to the back
N&V
Fever
Tachycardia
Cullen’s sign
Grey Turner’s Sign
Jaundice
Palpable mass if pseudocyst present
What is Cullen’s sign?
Bruising around umbilicus due to retroperitoneal haemorrhage
What is Grey Turner’s sign?
Bruising around flanks due to retroperitoneal haemorrhage
What investigations are used in acute pancreatitis diagnosis and monitoring?
>Amylase and lipase
LFT
- Decreased albumin
- AST>ALT suggesting alcohol use
FBC
- >WCC
U&E
- >Urea
Hyperglycaemia
Hypocalcamemia
>CRP
LDH
Coagulation
US
CT
Is amylase or lipase better to use in acute pancreatitis diagnosis and why?
Lipase is more sensitive and specific
Serum amylase may rise and fall quite quickly and lead to a false negative result
What CT signs are present in acute pancreatitis?
Pseudocysts
What are we looking for on an US in acute pancreatitis?
Gallstones
Why does hypocalcaemia occur in acute pancreatitis?
Lipase uses Ca2+ up
Why is LDH present in acute pancreatitis?
Tissue damage
Why is coagulation assessed in acute pancreatitis?
DIC is a complication
What is the management of acute pancreatitis?
IV fluids
Analgesia
Ca
Insulin
Urinary catheter
Naso-jejunal feeding, to avoid pancreatic stimulation
Treat cause
Name some complications of acute pancreatitis?
Pseudocyst/peripancreatic fluid collections
Pancreatic cancer
DIC
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Pancreatic abscess
Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic necrosis
What is a pseudocyst?
Fluid collection in lesser sac
What blood test is pseudocyst associated with?
Raised amylase
When do pseudocysts become present?
No earlier than 4 weeks after acute pancreatic attack
How are pseudocysts managed?
Symptomatic cases may be observed for 12 weeks as half resolve
Cystogastrostomy or aspiration