Evaluation Of Chronic Pancreatitis Research Articles

Current status of the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis by ultrasonographic elastography.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is pathologically characterized by the loss of exocrine pancreatic parenchyma, irregular fibrosis, cellular infiltration, and ductal abnormalities. Diagnosing CP objectively is difficult because standard diagnostic criteria are insufficient. The change of parenchymal hardness is the key factor for the diagnosis and understanding of the severity of CP. The ultrasonography (US) or endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) elastography have been used to diagnose pancreatic diseases. Both strain elastography (SE) and shear wave elastography are specific diagnostic techniques for measuring tissue hardness. Most previous studies were conducted with SE. There are three methods of interpreting SE; the method of recognizing the patterns in SE distribution images in the region of interest, the method of using strain ratio to compare the hardness of adipose tissue or connective tissue with that of the lesion, and the method of evaluating the hardness distribution of a target by histogram analysis. These former two methods have been used primarily for neoplastic diseases, and histograms analysis has been used to assess hardness distribution in the evaluation of CP. Since the hardness of the pancreas increases with aging, it is necessary to consider the age in the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders using US or EUS elastography.

EUS in Pediatrics: A Multicenter Experience and Review.

Background/Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a well-established tool used in the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of pathologies in adult medicine. EUS in pediatrics has been shown to be safe and technically effective, and its use continues to evolve. This article aims to describe the EUS experience at our tertiary-care centers with regard to safety, technical success, and its impact in clinical management. We also discuss the current and developing diagnostic and therapeutic uses for EUS in pediatrics such as in pancreaticobiliary disease, congenital anomalies, eosinophilic esophagitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease.Methods: This is a retrospective review of EUS performed by two pediatric gastroenterologists trained as endosonographers between April 2017 and November 2020. Patient demographics, procedure indication, procedure characteristics, technical success, and complications were collected. Literature review was performed to describe current and future uses of EUS in pediatrics.Results: Ninety-eight EUS were performed with 15 (15.3%) including fine needle aspiration/biopsy and 9 (9.2%) cases being therapeutic. Most common indications include choledocholithiasis (n = 31, 31.6%), pancreatic fluid collections (n = 18, 18.4%), chronic and acute recurrent pancreatitis (n = 14, 14.3%), and acute pancreatitis characterization (n = 13, 13.3%). Notable indications of pancreatic mass (n = 6, 6.1%) and luminal lesions/strictures (n = 6, 6.1%) were less common. Complications were limited with one instance of questionable GI bleeding after cystgastrostomy creation. Ninety-eight of 98 (100%) cases were technically successful.Conclusion/Discussion: EUS has been shown to be performed safely and successfully in the pediatric population by pediatric endosonographers. This study and review support its use in pediatric practice and demonstrate the wide variety of indications for EUS such as pancreatic cystgastrostomy, celiac plexus neurolysis, and evaluation of chronic pancreatitis. This literature review also demonstrates areas of potential development for EUS within the practice of pediatric gastroenterology.

Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis With T1 ρ MRI: A Preliminary Study.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) can result in persistent damage to the endocrine and exocrine tissues of the pancreas. There is an unmet need for quantitative methods to evaluate CP noninvasively. To investigate the utility of T1 ρ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment of CP. Prospective. Twenty patients with CP and 24 healthy volunteers. 3T MRI including T1 ρ sequence (spin lock time = 0, 1, 10, 20, 40, 60 msec). Pancreatic T1 ρ values and anterior-posterior (AP) diameters in the head, body, and tail were measured in all participants. Regions of interest with circle (ROIcircle ) and free-hand (ROIFH ) were drawn for T1 ρ value measurements. Mann-Whitney U-test; Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; and Bland-Altman analysis. The T1 ρ values of pancreatic tail and the mean T1 ρ values for ROIcircle and the T1 ρ values of pancreatic tail for ROIFH in patients with CP were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers (all P < 0.05). Pancreatic head AP diameter significantly increased, while pancreatic tail AP diameter significantly decreased in patients with CP compared with healthy volunteers (both P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of pancreatic tail T1 ρ values with ROIcircle and tail AP diameter in diagnosing CP were 0.744 and 0.798, respectively. A combination of pancreatic tail T1 ρ values with ROIcircle and tail AP diameter achieved good performance for diagnosing CP (AUC = 0.838). T1 ρ MRI might be a potential technique for the noninvasive evaluation of CP. Level of Evidence 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2021;53:577-584.

Imaging standards in the quantitative evaluation of chronic pancreatitis. A proposal from the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreas Club database

Imaging standards in the quantitative evaluation of chronic pancreatitis. A proposal from the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreas Club database

Magnetic resonance elastography and T1 mapping for early diagnosis and classification of chronic pancreatitis.

Early detection and classification of chronic pancreatitis (CP) are both important and challenging. To investigate the diagnostic performance of MR elastography (MRE) and T1 mapping of the pancreas for different stages of CP. Retrospective. Clinical and imaging records of 81 patients (from 5/2015 to 7/2017) with suspected CP were analyzed. Patients were categorized into the normal control (n = 35), mild CP (n = 30), and moderate/severe CP groups (n = 16) according to the Cambridge Classification based on concordant endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ultrasound endoscopy findings. 3T pancreatic MRI, which included MRE and T1 mapping. T1 relaxation times, pancreatic stiffness values, the main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, and pancreatic thickness were measured in all patients. Statistical Tests: Cutoff values of T1 relaxation times and pancreatic stiffness values for diagnosis of CP were calculated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Associations of imaging parameters with different stages of CP were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Both T1 relaxation times (865 ± 220 msec vs. 1075 ± 221 msec vs. 1350 ± 139 msec) and pancreatic stiffness (1.21 ± 0.13 kPa vs. 1.50 ± 0.15 kPa vs. 1.90 ± 0.16 kPa) differed significantly (P < 0.001) among the control, mild CP, and moderate/severe CP groups. Pancreatic stiffness (>1.34 kPa) achieved significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than T1 relaxation time (>908.4 msec) for detection of mild CP (AUC: 0.928 vs. 0.751, P = 0.011). Pancreatic stiffness values (>1.61 kPa) also achieved significantly higher AUC than T1 relaxation time (>1131.6 msec) (AUC: 0.981 vs. 0.910, P = 0.033) for diagnosing moderate/severe CP from the other two groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that T1 relaxation time and stiffness were the independent factors associated with mild CP (P = 0.025 and <0.001, respectively). Both MRE and T1 mapping are promising quantitative imaging methods for evaluation of CP; MRE slightly outperformed T1 mapping. 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.

MRCP Versus ERCP in the Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: Which Is the Better Choice?

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the detection of chronic pancreatitis (CP)-specific changes in the pediatric population. The study included 48 children with pancreatic disorders subjected to both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and MRCP within a 1- to 4-month interval. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRCP in the detection of CP-specific changes were determined using ERCP as a diagnostic standard. Diagnostic ERCP pancreatograms were obtained in 41 (85.4%) of 48 patients and diagnostic MRCP images in all 48 children. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of MRCP were 77.1% and 90%, respectively, and its specificity and negative predictive value amounted to 50% and 27.3%, respectively. The patients with consistent results of MRCP and ERCP (ie, true-positive and true-negative cases) and individuals with incompatible results of the tests (ie, false-positive and false-negative cases) differed in terms of their median age at MRCP (14.17 vs 10.33 years) and median CP stage according to the Cambridge Scale (4 vs 2). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provides diagnostic information equivalent to ERCP in a large percentage of pediatric patients with CP and should be used as the imaging method of choice, especially if the likelihood of therapeutic intervention is low.

Combination of secretin-enhanced MR cholangiopancreatography and conventional MRI in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Objective To discuss the value of combining secretin-enhanced MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and conventional MRI in the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis (CP).Methods Seventeen normal volunteers,and 36 patients with CP were enrolled in this study.Thick slab two dimension MRCP sequence,coronal T2 weighted sequence and conventional MRI were performed on all subjects.The changes of pancreatic ducts were observed before and after the injection of secretin.The exocrine function of the pancreas was evaluated using duodenal filling (DF) grades.Pancreatic parenchyma was reflected by signal intensity ratio (SIR) between the pancreas and the left psoas muscle on MR plain scan,and the ratio between the pancreatic substance phase and portal phase (A/V) of MR enhanced scan.All subjects were classified based on Cambridge classification and DF grades.The SIR and A/V were compared between all groups of Cambridge classification using the one-way ANOVA test,and between two groups of DF grades using Student's t test.Correlations between Cambridge classifications,DF grades and SIR,A/V were tested using Spearman rank correlation coefficients.Results After secretin injection,the visualization of all portions of the main pancreatic ducts and branch ducts were significantly improved in all subjects.Ten minutes after secretin injection,17 volunteers showed grade 3.Grade 3,2 and 1 were seen in 23,8,5 patients,respectively.Mild,moderate and severe CP by Cambridge classification showed in 11,12,13 patients,respectively.The mean SIR values of the volunteers and the three groups were 1.21 ± 0.19,1.07 ±0.21,0.98 ± 0.21 and 0.85 ± 0.18,respectively; the mean A/V values:1.15 ± 0.11,1.23 ± 0.34,0.97 ± 0.16 and 0.91 ± 0.12.There was statistically significant difference of SIR and A/V (F =8.72 and 7.72,P ＜0.01) between volunteers and CP.Normal and abnormal DF were seen in 40 and 13 patients.The mean SIR values of the two groups were 1.09 ± 0.20 and 0.88 ± 0.27 ; the mean A/V values:1.15 ± 0.11 and 0.94 ± 0.30.There was statistically significant difference of SIR and A/V (t =3.10 and -2.40,P ＜ 0.01) between two groups.There were correlations between Cambridge classification,DF grades and SIR (r =0.60 and 0.41,P＜0.01),A/V (r =0.60 and 0.52,P＜0.01).Conclusion Secretin-enhanced MRCP combined with conventional MRI can be used to evaluate CP regarding changes of morphology and function,which can provide a useful reference for the clinical diagnosis. Key words: Pancreatitis,chronic; Magnetic resonance imaging; Comparative study

Endoscopic Ultrasound and Histology in Chronic Pancreatitis

This study aimed to correlate endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) criteria and pathology in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Endoscopic ultrasound reports and pathology specimens were reviewed from patients with known or suspected CP who underwent surgery within 1 year of EUS. The following information was abstracted: EUS criteria for CP, corresponding pathology results, and histologic features. The EUS and pathology results were correlated. One hundred patients (55 men; mean age, 54 years) underwent a pancreatic resection, median of 50 days (range, 1-363 days). The mean (SD) fibrosis scores in the head and body/tail specimens were 7.9 (3.0) and 6.4 (3.8), respectively (P = 0.02). The main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation and irregularity were associated with moderate and severe fibrosis. Lobularity with honeycombing was associated with intralobular and interlobular fibrosis. Severe CP was associated with the following: lobularity with honeycombing, hyperechoic foci with shadowing, hyperechoic foci without shadowing, MPD dilation, MPD irregularity, and dilated side branches. Endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreas head may be considered in the evaluation of CP. The EUS criteria that were associated with severe CP included the following: lobularity with honeycombing, hyperechoic foci with shadowing, dilated MPD, irregular MPD, and dilated side branches. The importance of pancreatic ductal changes should not be minimized in the evaluation of CP.

M1370 Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Testing (ePFT) Using Combined Secretin and Cholecystokinin (CCK) Stimulation for the Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis (CP)

M1370 Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Testing (ePFT) Using Combined Secretin and Cholecystokinin (CCK) Stimulation for the Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis (CP)

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography Reports in the Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Need for Quality Improvement

Background: Numerous publications from academic centers suggest that magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) can diagnose early chronic pancreatitis (CP) and assess pancreatic secretory reserve/function. However, the rigorous composite interpretation methods and quantitative secretory dynamics reported in these studies are not routinely measured in clinical practice.Therefore, the utility of routine MRCP reports in the clinical setting is unknown. Study Design: Cross-sectional study of patients referred to a tertiary center who underwent both MRCP and endoscopic pancreas function testing (ePFT) for assessment of chronic pancreatitis and abdominal pain. Aims: To compare MRCP and sMRCP reports to a reference standard pancreas function test for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Source population: patients seen within a pancreas clinic at a tertiary referral center. MRCP and sMRCP reports were reviewed to record pancreas duct (dilation, side-branch changes), parenchyma enhancement (T1, T2 signal) and physiologic response (duodenal filling, pancreas duct response) to secretin. ePFT was categorized based on previously published data (normal peak bicarbonate >80 mEq/l). Referent values were calculated for MRCP and sMRCP using secretin ePFT as gold standard. Results: A total of 69 patients were identified (mean age 43.5 ± 12; 65.2% female). 28 (40.6%) patients had abnormal ePFT based on their peak bicarbonate level. The mean bicarbonate values in the abnormal PFT and normal PFT groups were 59 ± 13.9 and 95.3 ±12.6 mEq/l, respectively. Peak bicarbonate decreased with severity of chronic pancreatitis on MRCP (p = 0.0016). There was fair agreement of MRCP and ePFT (κ 0.335 [0.113,0.557]). The pre-stimulation pancreas duct changes reported were found to be the only predictor of abnormal pancreas function (p = 0.002). The post-stimulation findings of duodenal filling (p = 0.47), T2 enhancement (p = 0.21) or change in pancreas duct caliber (p = 0.3) reported did not improve MRCP agreement with ePFT. Overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 70, 85 and 46%, respectively, for MRCP reports using ePFT as the gold standard. Conclusions: Pancreas ductal features described on routine MRCP reports correlate with abnormal pancreas function. Current MRCP reports should be standardized to include all radiologie information available in hopes of predicting early chronic pancreatitis.

MRI and S‐MRCP findings in patients with suspected chronic pancreatitis: Correlation with endoscopic pancreatic function testing (ePFT)

To review magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and secretin stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) findings of patients with suspected chronic pancreatitis and compare them with endoscopic pancreatic function testing (ePFT). MRI and S-MRCP findings of 36 patients with clinically suspected chronic pancreatitis were reviewed. Baseline ductal changes, duodenal filling grades, and pancreatic duct caliber change (PDC) on S-MRCP, mean values of pancreatic anteroposterior (AP) diameter, signal intensity ratio (SIR) between pancreas and the spleen on T1-weighted fat saturated images, and arterial to venous (A/V) enhancement ratios were compared between groups of normal and abnormal pancreatic exocrine function determined by ePFT. All patients (n = 24) with normal ePFT (HCO(3) >80 mEq/L) had grade 3 normal duodenal filling. Patients with abnormal ePFT (HCO(3) <80 mEq/L) (n = 12) had grade 1 (n = 1) and grade 2 (n = 11) diminished duodenal filling (P < 0.0001). PDC was 1.51 in the normal ePFT group versus 1.27 in the abnormal ePFT group (P = 0.01). No significant differences were found in terms of mean pancreatic AP diameter (21.8 vs. 19.8 cm), SIR (1.59 vs. 1.44), and A/V (1.08 vs. 1.01) between groups of normal/abnormal pancreatic exocrine function. Despite discrepancies between pancreatic exocrine function and the findings on standard MRI/MRCP, the S-MRCP findings are comparable to ePFT in the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis.

Combined Endoscopic Ultrasound and Secretin Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Test in Patients Evaluated for Chronic Pancreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic secretin pancreatic function test may be combined in a single endoscopic session (EUS/ePFT) to diagnose chronic pancreatitis (CP). Our primary aim was to assess the correlation and concordance of combined EUS and secretin ePFT bicarbonate results in suspected minimal change CP. Radial EUS included scoring for nine criteria (normal<4 criteria) with endoscopic collection of duodenal samples at 15, 30, and 45 min after secretin stimulation (normal peak bicarbonate>or=80 mmol/l). Three hundred and two patients completed the EUS/ePFT (252 for suspected minimal change CP, 38 for established CP, 12 for painless steatorrhea). In patients evaluated for suspected minimal change CP, a moderate negative correlation was observed between endoscopic ultrasound score and peak bicarbonate (r=-0.38, P<0.001). The EUS and ePFT results were 76% concordant and 24% discordant. The ePFT was 85% sensitive and EUS was 100% sensitive for detecting patients with established calcific CP. The EUS/ePFT diagnosed CP in two of 12 of patients evaluated for painless steatorrhea or diarrhea with weight loss. The combined EUS/ePFT is feasible and safe. There is only moderate correlation and concordance of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic pancreatic function test results in patients with suspected minimal change CP. The EUS and ePFT results produce complimentary functional and structural information for the evaluation of CP.

Endoscopic ultrasound in chronic pancreatitis: Where are we now?

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is well suited for assessment of the pancreas due to its high resolution and the proximity of the transducer to the pancreas, avoiding air in the gut. Evaluation of chronic pancreatitis (CP) was an early target for EUS, initially just for diagnosis but later for therapeutic purposes. The diagnosis of CP is still accomplished using the standard scoring based on nine criteria, all considered to be of equal value. For diagnosis of any CP, at least three or four criteria must be fulfilled, but for diagnosis of severe CP at least six criteria are necessary. The Rosemont classification, more restrictive, aims to standardize the criteria and assigns different values to different features, but requires further validation. EUS-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is less advisable for diagnosis of diffuse CP due to its potential side effects. Elastography and contrast-enhanced EUS are orientation in differentiating a focal pancreatic mass in a parenchyma with features of CP, but they cannot replace EUS-FNA. The usefulness of EUS-guided celiac block for painful CP is still being debated with regard to the best technique and the indications. EUS-guided drainage of pseudocysts is preferred in non-bulging pseudocysts or in the presence of portal hypertension. EUS-guided drainage of the main pancreatic duct should be reserved for cases in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed owing to difficult cannulation of the papilla or difficult endotherapy. It should be performed only by highly skilled endoscopists, due to the high rate of complications.

Diagnosing early-stage chronic pancreatitis: is endoscopic ultrasound a reliable modality?

chymal and ductal irregularities without the inherent risk of ERCP to thereby diagnose the entire spectrum of disease severity is needed. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), because of its ability to place the transducer in close proximity to the pancreas (transduodenal and transgastric), allows high-resolution imaging of the entire gland, which makes it possible to diagnose subtle abnormalities not detectable by other standard imaging modalilties.15,16 EUS has made a significant impact on the evaluation of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders in the last decade. Although the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis by EUS has been one of the major indications of this modality, controversy still exists with respect to the minimum criteria to establish the diagnosis. Several reports have described both parenchymal (Figs. 1–4) and ductal (Figs. 5–8) abnormalities suggestive of chronic pancreatitis. These features, although not supported by available histologic data, can suggest but not definitively establish chronic pancreatitis. They nonetheless appear to be additive in their ability to exclude or establish the diagnosis.

Pancreatic Imaging

This review discusses the current imaging modalities for the diagnosis and staging of solid and cystic pancreatic lesions and for the assessment of acute and chronic pancreatitis, and the future role of emerging technologies in the management of pancreatic diseases. Multidetector row spiral computed tomography is superior to conventional single-detector row spiral computed tomography in the detection and staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Positron emission tomography is a sensitive but relatively nonspecific diagnostic modality. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography fusion may improve the staging accuracy for pancreatic cancer. Echo-enhanced ultrasound may have an emerging role in evaluating pancreatic masses. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration for cytology is the single best method for diagnosis and staging of nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer with a high accuracy for determining tumor resectability. In acute pancreatitis, a modification of the standard computed tomography severity index, which places greater emphasis on extrapancreatic complications, has shown superior correlation with various patient outcome measures. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is still the test of choice for morphological evaluation of chronic pancreatitis, whereas magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography offers a noninvasive alternative in selected patients. Endoscopic ultrasound can be useful for detecting early chronic pancreatitis. Secretin-stimulated imaging techniques may eventually provide a noninvasive method of reliably assessing pancreatic exocrine function.

Ultrasonography of the pancreas. 6. Endoscopic imaging

EUS is a high-resolution technique for pancreatic imaging. EUS has applictions in detecting and staging pancreatic tumors, EUS guided FNA of the pancreas for tissue diagnosis, and evaluation of chronic pancreatitis as well as EUS guided therapy such as celiac plexus block. This is a review of EUS imaging (EUS) of the pancreas covering technical aspects, clinical indications, advantages, and pitfalls as well as emerging trends in the field.

Endosonographie bei chronischer Pankreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasound has continuously gained importance and has proven to be of clinical value in patients with chronic pancreatitis. In addition, the much lower complication rate when compared to ERCP has to be recognised. Some authors have indicated that endoscopic ultrasound in the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis is the imaging method of choice, depending on both ductal and parenchymal criteria, but there are still some limitations. The two major limitations of EUS preventing it being the "gold standard" in patients with chronic pancreatitis are the lack of standard criteria to be used, and adequate education. Endoscopic ultrasound is difficult to learn and therefore teaching has to be standardised. A general acceptance of the staging of chronic pancreatitis using a catalogue based on criteria compatible to the Cambridge classification is required. Difficulties in evaluating parenchymal criteria with the exception of "indicative" calcifications, depend on the differentiation of the normal ageing process from sequelae of acute pancreatic, ethyl-toxic fibrosis and early stages of chronic pancreatitis. In addition, the differentiation of hypoechoic and cystic lesions as inflammatory changes or neoplastic tumours is still difficult; complementary imaging methods also have low sensitivity in this area. In conclusion, there is no doubt that endoscopic ultrasound has proven to be of value using an interdisciplinary approach in the evaluation and therapy of pseudocysts, peripancreatic necrosis, and pancreatic and bile duct obstruction.

Blinded comparison of linear and radial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis (CP)

Blinded comparison of linear and radial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the evaluation of chronic pancreatitis (CP)

Morpho-functional evaluation of chronic pancreatitis in early phases with MR-cholangiopancreatography after secretin stimulation

Morpho-functional evaluation of chronic pancreatitis in early phases with MR-cholangiopancreatography after secretin stimulation

Morpho-functional evaluation of chronic pancreatitis in early phases with MR-cholangiopancreatography after secretin stimulation

Morpho-functional evaluation of chronic pancreatitis in early phases with MR-cholangiopancreatography after secretin stimulation