Pancreatitis Flashcards
What is acute pancreatitis?
inflammation and haemmorhaging of the pancreas usually caused by gallstones or alcohol
Where is the pancreas located?
Retroperitoneally(behind the stomach)
- epigastrium
- between L1-L3
Where does the tail of the pancreas lie?
-In the hilum of the spleen
Where does the head of the pancreas lie?
-In the C-loop of the duodenum
The pancreas has main ducts- name them and where they drain into?
- There is the main pancreatic duct that goes through the whole pancreas and drains into the duodenum via the ampulla of vater
- the accessory duct drains the head of the pancreas and drains via a different route into the duodenum
What two functions does the pancreas have?
- exocrine function
2. endocrine
What is the function of glucagon?
-It mobilises fatty acids, amino acids and glucose into the bloodstream
What is the function of insulin in the body?
It is anabolic and causes storing of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids
What is the aetiology of pancreatitis?
I GET SMASHED
I-idiopathic G-gallstones E-ethanol T- trauma S-steroids M-mumps A-autoimmune S-scorpion poison H-hypercalcaemia, hypertriglyceraemia E-ERCP D-drugs
What are the clinical features of acute pancreatitis?
- constant and severe epigastric pain
- nausea and vomiting
- radiates towards the back
- worse after meals and when supine
What are the physical signs you see on patients?
- abdo exam: guarding, distension, decreased bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, may have palpable mass if pseudocyst, pancreatic phlegmon
- general exam: signs of shock like tachycardia, hypotension, oliguria
- skin changes- ecchymoses, grey turners and cullens sign particularly haemmorrhagic pancreatitis
What are the skin changes you can expect in a patient with acute pancreatitis?
- cullen’s sign- periumbilical ecchymosis and bluish discolouration
- Grey Turner’s sign-flank discolouration
How do we diagnose acute pancreatitis?
-clinically, tests and imaging
What should we expect on lab tests?
- increase in lipases x3 strongly indicate pancreatitis
2. increase in amylase which is non-specific
How can we test severity?
- Testing Hct
- an increase can mean third space fluid loss and fluid loss
What imaging do we usually do for acute pancreatitis?
- ultrasound- which is usually to help diagnose the presence of gallstones or dilation of the biliary tract
- CT Scan- enlargement of the pancreatic parenchyma with eodema
- MRCP and ERCP: if we suspect biliary tract and pancreatic duct obstruction
- X-ray: sentinel loop sign and colon cut off sign
What would be able to see on ultrasound for acute pancreatitis?
- edematous swelling
What is the treatment for acute pancreatitis?
- make sure patient is nil per os so give food enterally and start the patient on PPI
- aggressive hydration with Ringers Lactate
- drug therapy: fentanyl(analgesia), pethidine
- Antibiotics: should only be used for patients with infective necrosis