Showing papers on "Pancreatitis published in 1995"

Chronic pancreatitis caused by an autoimmune abnormality : proposal of the concept of autoimmune pancreatitis

Abstract: Several authors have reported a case of chronic pancreatitis associated with Sjogren's syndrome in which an autoimmune mechanism may have been involved in the etiology and in which steroid therapy was effective. We recently encountered a patient with pancreatitis who had hyperglobulinemia, was autoantibody-positive, and responded to steroid therapy. This patient, however, failed to show any evidence of association with Sjogren's syndrome or other collagen diseases. Although the concept of autoimmune hepatitis and the criteria for diagnosing it have been established, autoimmune pancreatitis has not yet been defined as a clinical entity. We report a case of chronic pancreatitis in which an autoimmune mechanism is involved in the etiology and summarize the cases of pancreatitis suspected of being caused by an autoimmune mechanism in the Japanese and English literature.

Standards for pancreatic resection in the 1990s.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the current indications and operative outcomes of pancreatic resection. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Referral practice in a university hospital. Patients: Two hundred thirty-one consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), distal pancreatectomy (DP), or total pancreatectomy (TP) over a 44-month period. Their ages ranged from 16 to 85 years, with a mean of 54 years; 20% of the patients were 70 years old or older. Main Outcome Measures: Mortality, complications, and length of hospital stay. Results: Operative mortality was 0.4% (one death following DP); there were no deaths in 142 PDs or in 18 TPs. The most common complication following PD was delayed gastric emptying. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 6.3% of PD and in 9.8% of DP patients. Overall, 58% of PD, 80% of DP, and 78% of TP patients had no complications. The mean±SD length of hospital stay was 15±7, 10±5, and 15±6 days for PD, DP, and TP, respectively. Reoperation for any cause was necessary in only 1.2% (3/231). The most frequent indication for PD was pancreatic cancer (36%) followed by chronic pancreatitis (26%); for DP it was chronic pancreatitis (28%) and cystic neoplasms (27%); and for TP, chronic pancreatitis (55%). Newer indications for pancreatic resection included mucinous ductal ectasia and intraductal papillary tumors (eight cases, 4%) and metastatic tumors (eight cases, 4%). Conclusions: Current indications for pancreatic resection have expanded. These procedures are associated with a low risk for death and postoperative complications when performed in a high-volume setting. (Arch Surg. 1995;130:295-300)

Controlled clinical trial of selective decontamination for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial was undertaken in 102 patients with objective evidence of severe acute pancreatitis to evaluate whether selective decontamination reduces mortality. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Secondary pancreatic infection is the major cause of death in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Controlled clinical trials to study the effect of selective decontamination in such patients are not available. METHODS: Between April 22, 1990 and April 19, 1993, 102 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were admitted to 16 participating hospitals. Patients were entered into the study if severe acute pancreatitis was indicated, on admission, by multiple laboratory criteria (Imrie score > or = 3) and/or computed tomography criteria (Balthazar grade D or E). Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard treatment (control group) or standard treatment plus selective decontamination (norfloxacin, colistin, amphotericin; selective decontamination group). All patients received full supportive treatment, and surveillance cultures were taken in both groups. RESULTS: Fifty patients were assigned to the selective decontamination group and 52 were assigned to the control group. There were 18 deaths in the control group (35%), compared with 11 deaths (22%) in the selective decontamination group (adjusted for Imrie score and Balthazar grade: p = 0.048). This difference was mainly caused by a reduction of late mortality (> 2 weeks) due to significant reduction of gram-negative pancreatic infection (p = 0.003). The average number of laparotomies per patient was reduced in patients treated with selective decontamination (p < 0.05). Failure of selective decontamination to prevent secondary gram-negative pancreatic infection with subsequent death was seen in only three patients (6%) and transient gram-negative pancreatic infection was seen in one (2%). In both groups of patients, all gram-negative aerobic pancreatic infection was preceded by colonization of the digestive tract by the same bacteria. CONCLUSION: Reduction of gram-negative colonization of the digestive tract, preventing subsequent pancreatic infection by means of selective decontamination, significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Randomized trial of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection versus pylorus-preserving Whipple in chronic pancreatitis.

Abstract: Background In about 30% of patients, chronic pancreatitis leads to an inflammatory enlargement of the pancreatic head with subsequent obstruction of the pancreatic duct, common bile duct, and duodenum. Methods In a prospective, randomized controlled trial, we compared duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) with pylorus-preserving Whipple (PPW) operation to define the advantages of each operation with regard to (1) postoperative complications, (2) glucose tolerance and induction of diabetes mellitus, and (3) postoperative pain and quality of life up to 6 months after operation for chronic pancreatitis. Results The two study groups of 20 patients were both well balanced with regard to sex, age, history of chronic pancreatitis, and indication for surgery. Postoperative mortality was zero. After duodenum-preserving and pylorus-preserving resection, morbidity was 15% and 20%, respectively. After 6 months, patients who underwent the duodenum-preserving resection had less pain, greater weight gain, a better glucose tolerance, and a higher insulin secretion capacity. Conclusion The DPPHR compares favorably with the standard PPW operation and should be considered as an alternative procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis. A prospective, randomized trial.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Two techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas were compared in a prospective, randomized trial. The technical feasibility and effects on quality of life were assessed. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Drainage and resection are the principles of surgery in chronic pancreatitis. The techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas as described by Berger and Frey combine both to different degrees. The efficacy of both procedures has not been compared thus far. METHODS: Forty-two patients were allocated randomly to either Beger's (n = 20) or Frey's (n = 22) group. In addition to routine pancreatic diagnostic work-up, a multidimensional psychometric quality-of-life questionnaire and and a pain score were used. Assessment of endocrine and exocrine function included oral glucose tolerance test, serum concentrations of insulin, C-peptide, and HbA1c, as well as fecal chymotrypsin and pancreolauryl test. The interval between symptoms and surgery ranged from 12 months to 12 years, with a mean of 5.7 years. The mean follow-up was 1.5 years. RESULTS: There was no mortality. Overall morbidity was 14% (20% Beger, 9% Frey). Complications from adjacent organs were resolved definitively in 94% (90% Beger, 100% Frey). A decrease of 95% and 94% of the pain score after Beger's and Frey's procedure, respectively, and an increase of 67% of the overall quality-of-life index in both groups were observed. Endocrine and exocrine function did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas are equally safe and effective with regard to pain relief, improvement of quality of life, and definitive control of complications affecting adjacent organs. Neither procedure leads to further deterioration of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function.

Factors influencing morbidity and mortality in acute pancreatitis; an analysis of 279 cases.

Abstract: Of 279 patients admitted to a specialist unit with acute pancreatitis, 210 were admitted directly and 69 were transferred for treatment of local or systemic complications. Outcome was assessed in terms of mortality and morbidity and in relation to aetiology, predicted severity of disease (modified Glasgow score), organ failure (modified Goris multiple organ failure score), and need for surgical intervention. The death rate was 1.9% in patients admitted directly but was 18.8% in those transferred from other units. Mortality in gall stone related pancreatitis was 3% compared with 15% (p = 0.03) in pancreatitis of unknown aetiology and 27% (p = 0.01) in post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis. Mortality was related to age (mortality > 55 years old 11% v 2%; p = 0.003) and Goris score (score 0, mortality 0% v score 5-9, mortality 67%; p = 0.001). In patients transferred from other units, mortality was 11% in those transferred within a week of diagnosis and 35% when transfer was delayed (p = 0.04). Thirty six patients had pancreatic necrosis on dynamic computed tomography of whom 29 underwent pancreatic necrosectomy with a 34% mortality. Mortality was related to the modified Goris score (median score 2 in survivors v 6 in non-survivors; p = 0.005) and was higher when necrosectomy was performed within the first two weeks of admission (100% vs 21%; p = 0.004). In conclusion, mortality in acute pancreatitis is influenced by age, aetiology of the disease, and presence of organ failure. Patients transferred for specialist care have a 10-fold greater mortality than those admitted directly and mortality is greatest when transfer is delayed. Early necrosectomy carries a prohibitively high mortality.

Relationship between severity, necrosis, and apoptosis in five models of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Abstract: In an effort to elucidate factors that determine the severity of an attack of acute pancreatitis, we have quantitated the extent of necrosis and of apoptosis in five different models of experimental acute pancreatitis. Severe pancreatitis was induced by obstructing the opossum common bile-pancreatic duct, by administering to mice 12 hourly injections of a supramaximally stimulating dose of caerulein, and by feeding young female mice a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented diet. In each of these models of severe pancreatitis, marked necrosis but very little apoptosis was found. Mild pancreatitis was induced by obstructing the rat common bile-pancreatic duct and by infusing rats with a supramaximally stimulating dose of caerulein. In contrast to our findings in severe pancreatitis, mild pancreatitis was characterized by very little necrosis but a high degree of apoptosis. Our finding that the severity of acute pancreatitis is inversely related to the degree of apoptosis suggests that apoptosis may be a teleologically beneficial response to acinar cell injury in general and especially in acute pancreatitis.

Endoscopic pancreatic stent drainage in chronic pancreatitis and a dominant stricture : long-term results

Abstract: Background and Study Aims : Endoscopic pancreatic stent drainage has been reported to relieve pain due to chronic pancreatitis in patients with ductal outflow obstruction. However, data regarding the long-term results, as presented here, have hitherto been lacking. Patients and Methods : Over a nine-year period, 93 patients (65 males, mean age 49 years) with narcotic-dependent pain due to chronic pancreatitis and with a dominant pancreatic duct stricture visualized by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), were treated by stent drainage. The duration of pain prior to treatment averaged 5.6 years. The stents were exchanged according to symptoms, and removed if the stricture was judged to be adequately dilated after stenting. Results : Sixty-nine patients (74%) reported complete (n =46) or partial (n =23) pain relief at six months. In this group of early responders, 60 patients experienced sustained improvement during a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (nine had recurrent pain after a mean of 1.2 years). Stents were removed in 49 patients after a mean of 15.7 months ; during a mean follow-up of 3.8 years, 36 patients remained pain-free, and 13 had a relapse of pain (11 were retreated by endoscopic drainage and subsequently became pain-free). Complications seen included mild pancreatitis (n = 4) and abscess formation secondary to stent clogging (n = 2). Most patients experienced a regression of the ductal dilation after stenting. Conclusion : In selected patients, early responders to pancreatic stent drainage are likely to benefit over the long term. Stent removal after stricture dilation may be associated with continued pain relief.

Local resection of the head of the pancreas combined with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy in the management of patients with chronic pancreatitis

Abstract: Local resection of the head of the pancreas combined with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LR-LPJ) was performed in 50 patients, and the results were reported at the American Surgical Association meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on April 8, 1994. The operation was not performed in patients whose ducts were less than 4.5 mm in diameter. There were no operative deaths. Forty-seven patients were followed for an average of 37 months. Forty-three of the 50 patients were alcoholics. Pseudocysts were present in 50% of the patients. Thirty-five intraabdominal operations had previously been performed on 23 patients. Preoperatively, all patients underwent computed tomography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in 82% of patients and angiography in 64%. Preoperatively, all patients had pain. Common bile duct obstruction was present in 8% of patients. The average length of hospital stay was 18.7 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 22% of patients. Pain relief was judged excellent in 74.5%, improved in 12.75%, and unimproved in 12.75%. The pain assessment included use of a pain scale and the monitoring of narcotic usage. Progression of diabetes occurred in 2 patients in the immediate postoperative period and in 3 patients at 3, 16, and 22 months, respectively. Exocrine function, based on the presence of steatorrhea, improved in 10 patients (22%) and deteriorated in 5 (11%). Weight gain was noted in 25 patients and weight loss in 13. Few patients not working preoperatively returned to work postoperatively (15.9%). Aside from pain relief, the operation is also useful in the management of patients with stricture of the intrapancreatic portion of the common duct, pseudocysts, pancreatic ascites, and pancreatic fistulas. LR-LPJ is not indicated in patients in whom there is a suspicion of pancreatic cancer, nor in patients with splenic vein thrombosis and left-sided portal hypertension or pseudoaneurysm of the peripancreatic vessels in the absence of some additional procedure to correct these problems. Patients with a small main pancreatic duct, <4.5 mm, having common duct and duodenal obstruction are best treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy. Patients with a small main pancreatic duct whose disease is limited to the body and tail of the pancreas are best treated by distal pancreatectomy.

Drug induced acute pancreatitis: incidence and severity.

Abstract: To determine the incidence and severity of drug induced acute pancreatitis, data from 45 German centres of gastroenterology were evaluated. Among 1613 patients treated for acute pancreatitis in 1993, drug induced acute pancreatitis was diagnosed in 22 patients (incidence 1.4%). Drugs held responsible were azathioprine, mesalazine/sulfasalazine, 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI), oestrogens, frusemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and rifampicin. Pancreatic necrosis not exceeding 33% of the organ was found on ultrasonography or computed tomography, or both, in three patients (14%). Pancreatic pseudocysts did not occur. A decrease of arterial PO2 reflecting respiratory insufficiency, and an increase of serum creatinine, reflecting renal insufficiency as complications of acute pancreatitis were seen in two (9%) and four (18%) patients, respectively. Artificial ventilation was not needed, and dialysis was necessary in only one (5%) case. Two patients (9%) died of AIDS and tuberculosis, respectively; pancreatitis did not seem to have contributed materially to their death. In conclusion, drugs rarely cause acute pancreatitis, and drug induced acute pancreatitis usually runs a benign course.

Autologous islet transplantation to prevent diabetes after pancreatic resection.

Abstract: Background Extensive pancreatic resection for small-duct chronic pancreatitis is often required for pain relief, but the risk of diabetes is a major deterrent. Objective Incidence of pain relief, prevention of diabetes, and identification of factors predictive of success were the goals in this series of 48 patients who underwent pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis. Patients and Methods Of the 48 patients, 43 underwent total or near-total (>95%) pancreatectomy and 5 underwent partial pancreatectomy. The resected pancreas was dispersed by either old (n = 26) or new (n = 22) methods of collagenase digestion. Islets were injected into the portal vein of 46 of the 48 patients and under the kidney capsule in the remaining 2. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, pain relief, and need for exogenous insulin were determined, and actuarial probability of postoperative insulin independence was calculated based on several variables. Results One perioperative death occurred. Surgical complications occurred in 12 of the 48 patients (25%) : of these, 3 had a total (n = 27) ; 8, a near-total (n = 16) ; and 1, a partial pancreatectomy (p = 0.02). Most of the 48 patients had a transient increase in portal venous pressure after islet infusion, but no serious sequelae developed. More than 80% of patients experienced significant pain relief after pancreatectomy. Of the 39 patients who underwent total or near-total pancreatectomy, 20 (51%) were initially insulin independent. Between 2 and 10 years after transplantation, 34% were insulin independent, with no grafts failing after 2 years. The main predictor of insulin independence was the number of islets transplanted (of 14 patients who received >300,000 islets, 74% were insulin independent at >2 years after transplantation). In turn, the number of islets recovered correlated with the degree of fibrosis (r = -0.52, p = 0.006) and the dispersion method (p = 0.005). Conclusion Pancreatectomy can relieve intractable pain caused by chronic pancreatitis. Islet autotransplantation is safe and can prevent long-term diabetes in more than 33% of patients and should be an adjunct to any pancreatic resection. A given patient's probability of success can be predicted by the morphologic features of the pancreas.

Quality of Life in Chronic Pancreatitis—Results After Duodenum-Preserving Resection of the Head of the Pancreas

Abstract: SummaryStudies on chronic pancreatitis have focused predominantly on pain measurement, morbidity, and mortality. In this prospective follow-up study the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) was reevaluated for patients suffering from

Acute Pancreatitis Induces Intrapancreatic Tumor Necrosis Factor Gene Expression

Abstract: Objective: To examine the intrapancreatic production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and define its cell of origin during acute pancreatitis. Design: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in adult male mice by administering cerulein (50 μg/kg intraperitoneally four times over 3 hours). Animals were killed at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, with the severity of pancreatitis established by blind histologic grading and serum amylase, lipase, and TNF levels. The expression of TNF messenger RNA within the pancreas was established by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Intrapancreatic TNF protein was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, and immunohistochemical methods. Results: Acute pancreatitis was manifest within 1 hour of the first cerulein injection and increased in severity through 8 hours. There was no constitutive expression of TNF messenger RNA within the pancreas, but transcripts were induced within 30 minutes following the onset of pancreatitis, increasing through 4 hours. Intrapancreatic and serum TNF peptide levels became detectable at 1 hour and increased over 6 hours (both P P P Conclusions: Tumor necrosis factor gene expression is induced locally during acute pancreatitis, resulting in large amounts of intrapancreatic TNF with levels consistently higher than those found in the serum. The overall rise in both tissue and serum TNF concentrations correlates directly with the severity of pancreatic damage and inflammation. The infiltrating macrophage appears to contribute most to this process. (Arch Surg. 1995;130:966-970)

Serum interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and beta 2-microglobulin in early assessment of severity of acute pancreatitis. Comparison with serum C-reactive protein.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of serum interleukin-6, interleukin-8,β2-microglobulin, and C-reactive protein in the assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis using commercial kits for their respective assays. Thirty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis (25 men, 13 women, mean age 59 years, range 16–97) were studied; the diagnosis was based on prolonged upper abdominal pain associated with a twofold increase of serum lipase, and it was confirmed by imaging techniques. According to the Atlanta criteria, 15 patients had severe illness and 23 had mild disease. The four serum markers were determined in all patients on admission, as well as daily for the following five days. On the first day of the disease, the sensitivity (calculated on patients with severe pancreatitis), specificity (calculated on patients with mild pancreatitis), and the diagnostic accuracy of these serum markers for establishing the severity of acute pancreatitis were 100%, 86%, and 91% for interleukin-6 (cutoff level 2.7 pg/ml); 100%, 81%, and 88% for interleukin-8 (cutoff level 30 pg/ml); 58%, 81%, and 73% forβ2-microglobulin (cutoff level 2.1 mg/liter); and 8%, 95%, and 64% for C-reactive protein (cutoff level 11 mg/dl). The results of our study indicate that, when assayed during the first 24 hr of disease onset, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 are better markers thanβ2-microglobulin or C-reactive protein for evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis.

[Pancreatic function and quality of life after resection of the head of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis. A prospective, randomized comparative study after duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas versus Whipple's operation]

Abstract: Given an indication for surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis, such as distal common bile duct obstruction, duodenal stenosis, or dilated pancreatic duct with stones and congestion, the surgeon must decide the type of operation to perform A duodenopancreatectomy, the Whipple procedure, is widely considered to be the gold standard It is highly effective in relieving pain and eliminating the structural abnormalities noted above Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas (DPRHP) seems to be an attractive alternative to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis In a clinical prospective randomized trial the efficiency of both operative methods was investigated Between 7/1987 and 12/1993 43 patients were randomly assigned to undergo either a Whipple procedure (n = 21) or DPRHP (n = 22) Data on postoperative course, mortality, and postoperative morbidity were compiled As concerns long-term results, postoperative hormonal status (insulin, neurotensin, cholecystokinin, gastrin) was checked, basal and stimulated with a standardized meal, using standard hormonal assay kits All patients with PD survived, whereas one with DPRHP died from peritonitis Patients with DPRHP had a significant more rapid convalescence (165 vs 217 days) The range for postoperative follow-up is from 36 months to 55 years In the DPRHP group 18 patients are in good condition Two had diabetes and one developed carcinoma In the PD group one died from hepatic coma, 14 are in good condition and 6 developed diabetes All gained body weight with an average of 64 vs 49 kg, DPRHP vs PD A difference between DPRHP and PD was obvious for the postoperative hormonal status Results are satisfactory in both groups For patients with DPRHP however, we see a quicker convalescence and a significant benefit as concerns postoperative hormonal status

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by 2[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography.

Abstract: The detection of pancreatic cancer or the discrimination between pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis remains an important diagnostic problem. The increased glucose metabolism in malignant tumours formed the basis for this investigation, which focused on the role of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the detection of pancreatic cancer and its differentiation from chronic pancreatitis. Eighty patients admitted for elective pancreatic surgery received preoperatively 250-350 mBq FDG intravenously and emission scans were recorded 45 minutes later. Intense focal activity in the pancreatic region was taken at the time of scanning as showing the presence of pancreatic cancer. The presence of cancer was later confirmed by histological examination of the surgical specimens and histological findings were compared with the preoperative PET results. Forty one patients with pancreatic cancer (group I: n = 42) had a focally increased FDG uptake in the pancreatic region. Two patients with a periampullary carcinoma (group II: n = 6) failed to develop FDG accumulation. In 28 patients with chronic pancreatitis (group III: n = 32) no FDG accumulation occurred. Overall sensitivity and specificity of PET for malignancy (group I + II) were 94% (45 of 48) and 88% (28 of 32), respectively. The standard uptake value of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma was significantly higher than in patients with chronic pancreatitis (3.09 (2.18) v 0.87 (0.56); p < 0.001; median (interquartile range)). These findings show that FDG-PET represents a new and non-invasive diagnostic procedure for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and to differentiate pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis. However, the diagnostic potential of this technique requires further evaluation.