What is chronic pancreatitis?
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Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by progressive and irreversible changes to the pancreas. It involves chronic inflammation, pancreatic fibrosis, acinar atrophy, and blocked ducts, leading to exocrine insufficiency (maldigestion and steatorrhea) and endocrine insufficiency (diabetes). Fibrosis involving the pancreatic ducts leads to focal duct strictures and the formation of pancreatic calculi, which obstruct the pancreatic ducts and increase pancreatic intraductal pressure, causing pain and worsening pancreatic function. Chronic pancreatitis has a variable clinical course and can result in a permanent loss of exocrine and endocrine function. It is often associated with risk factors such as chronic alcoholism. Diagnosis is made through a combination of clinical history, examination, imaging studies, and pancreatic function tests. Complications of chronic pancreatitis include gastric and biliary obstruction, pseudocyst formation, and an increased risk of developing pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Management involves identifying the underlying cause, lifestyle changes, and multidisciplinary care .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that causes permanent structural changes in the pancreas, leading to impairment of exocrine and endocrine function. | |
4 Citations | Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pancreas that leads to irreversible structural changes, excretory and incretory insufficiency, and abdominal pain. |
| Chronic pancreatitis is a disease of the exocrine pancreas characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. The paper provides information on the diagnosis, risk factors, imaging studies, epidemiology, and management of complications associated with chronic pancreatitis. | |
| Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic disease characterized by progressive and irreversible changes to the pancreas, including chronic inflammation, fibrosis, acinar atrophy, blocked ducts, and the development of pancreatic calculi. | |
| Chronic pancreatitis is a complex progressive fibro-inflammatory disease of the pancreas that can lead to permanent loss of pancreatic function. |
Related Questions
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