Management of Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a syndrome that is characterized by inflammation, irreversible fibrosis, and loss of acinar and islet cells. It has also been described as an “enigmatic process of uncertain pathogenesis, unpredictable clinical course, and unclear treatment.” This review describes the epidemiology, diagnosis, diagnostic challenges, differential diagnosis, treatment, complications, and clinical course and prognosis of CP, as well as future challenges. Figures show a computed tomographic (CT) scan of calcific CP, a secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram showing a dilated and tortuous main pancreatic duct, a CT scan of a large chronic pseudocyst compressing the stomach and pancreas, an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) image of CP, a retrograde pancreatogram showing a dilated main pancreatic duct with stones and “blunted” side branches, sources of pain in CP, neuropathic pain mechanisms in CP, and an algorithm summarizing treatment of pain in CP. Tables list the TIGAR-O etiologic classification of CP, standard criteria for diagnosis of CP by EUS, Cambridge endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography grading for CP, and a stepwise radiographic and endoscopic diagnostic approach to patients with suspected CP. Key words: bile duct obstruction, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic calcifications, TIGAR-O system This review contains 8 highly rendered figures, 4 tables, and 54 references.