Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas and is often associated with severe pain. Consequently, patients with chronic pancreatitis exhibit variable degrees of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. Chronic pancreatitis is a complex disease, afflicting heavy drinkers in the majority of cases, but is also associated with several other causes. Early diagnosis is still a difficult task. However, endosonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may detect the earliest parenchymal and/or ductal changes. About 80% of patients with chronic pancreatitis can be managed by pain medication, dietary recommendations, and pancreatic enzyme supplementation. If conservative treatment fails, endoscopic and/or surgical interventions are safe and efficient therapeutic options. New organ-preserving operations lead to long-term pain relief and preservation of pancreatic function.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Textbook of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology |
Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
Publisher | Wiley Blackwell |
Pages | 525-532 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Print) | 1405191821, 9781405191821 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 16 Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Differential diagnosis
- Epidemiology
- Function test
- Imaging
- Medical therapy
- Risk factors
- Surgical therapy
- Symptoms