Pancreatitis

Question 1

How is acute pancreatitis confirmed?

Answer 1

By raised serum amylase

Question 2

What respiratory complication is associated with acute pancreatitis?

Answer 2

Acute respiratory distress syndrome
* SOB
* Central cyanosis
* Tachypnoeic

Question 3

3 main causes for pancreatitis?

Answer 3

Gallstones
Alcohol
Post-ERCP

Question 4

Typical presentation of pancreatitis?

Answer 4

• Severe epigastric pain that radiates to back
• Vommitting
• Abdo tenderness
• Systemically unwell- fever and tachycardia

Question 5

Which medication in young adults commonly induces pancreatitis?

Answer 5

Sodium valporate

Question 6

Causes of acute pancreatitis?

Answer 6

• Gallstones
• Ethanol
• Trauma
• Steroids
• Mumps (other viruses include Coxsackie B)
• Autoimmune (e.g. polyarteritis nodosa), Ascaris infection
• Scorpion venom
• Hypertriglyceridaemia, Hyperchylomicronaemia, Hypercalcaemia, Hypothermia
• ERCP
• Drugs (azathioprine, mesalazine*, didanosine, bendroflumethiazide, furosemide, pentamidine, steroids, sodium valproate)

Question 7

Causes of chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 7

Alcohol
Cystic fibrosis
Ductal obstructiob e.g. tumours, stones

Question 8

3 main features of chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 8

Pain- worse 15-30 mins after a meal
Steatorrhoea
Diabetes- occurs more than 20 years after symptoms begin

Question 9

Functional test for chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 9

Faecal elastase- assess exocrine function of pancreas