Pathology of the Pancreas Flashcards
causes of acute pancreatitis
- gallstones
- infection
- trauma
- alcohol/drugs
- iatrogenic (after ERCP)
how do you diagnose acute pancreatitis?
serum amylase (is elevated)
pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis
- bile reflux/duct obstruction/damage to sphincter of oddi
- loss of protective barries, so autodigestion of pancreatic acini occurs
- release of lytic pancreatic enzymes
What do the two pancreatic enzymes do?
lipases - intra and peripancreatic fat necrosis
proteases - tissue destruction and haemorrhage
complications of acute and chronic pancreatitis?
pseudocyst formation
complications of acute pancreatitis?
hyperglycaemia, hypercalcaemia, death, shock, abscess
What is chronic pancreatitis?
replacement of the pancreas by scar tissue and chronic inflam. Destruction of exocrine acini and islets occurs
causes of chronic pancreatitis?
- alcohol
- cholelithiasis
- CF
- familial
- hyperparathyroidism
diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?
serum amylase, US, MRI or CXR
Routes of spread of carcinoma of the pancreas
direct, lymph, haematogenous
Causes of carcinoma of the pancreas
- smoking
- diabetes
- familial pancreatitis
features of carcinoma of the pancreas
- adenocarcinoma
- if in the head, produces symptoms (e.g obstructive jaundice)
