Sunday, June 6, 2010

Isolated main pancreatic duct injuries spectrum and management

Isolated main pancreatic duct injuries spectrum and management

Chronic pancreatitis. [Am Fam Physician. 2007] - PubMed result

Chronic pancreatitis. [Am Fam Physician. 2007] - PubMed result

Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis is the progressive and permanent destruction of the pancreas resulting in exocrine and endocrine insufficiency and, often, chronic disabling pain. The etiology is multifactorial. Alcoholism plays a significant role in adults, whereas genetic and structural defects predominate in children. The average age at diagnosis is 35 to 55 years. Morbidity and mortality are secondary to chronic pain and complications (e.g., diabetes, pancreatic cancer). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the radiographic test of choice for diagnosis, with ductal calcifications being pathognomonic. Newer modalities, such as endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, provide diagnostic results similar to those of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Management begins with lifestyle modifications (e.g., cessation of alcohol and tobacco use) and dietary changes followed by analgesics and pancreatic enzyme supplementation. Before proceeding with endoscopic or surgical interventions, physicians and patients should weigh the risks and benefits of each procedure. Therapeutic endoscopy is indicated for symptomatic or complicated pseudocyst, biliary obstruction, and decompression of pancreatic duct. Surgical procedures include decompression for large duct disease (pancreatic duct dilatation of 7 mm or more) and resection for small duct disease. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is the most commonly performed surgery in patients with large duct disease. Pancreatoduodenectomy is indicated for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic head enlargement. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at increased risk of pancreatic neoplasm; regular surveillance is sometimes advocated, but formal guidelines and evidence of clinical benefit are lacking.

Radiologic spectrum of intraductal papillary mucin... [Radiographics. 2001 Mar-Apr] - PubMed result

Radiologic spectrum of intraductal papillary mucin... [Radiographics. 2001 Mar-Apr] - PubMed result

Abstract
"Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor" is now the preferred term to describe a spectrum of proliferation of the pancreatic ductal epithelium. The tumor produces an excessive amount of mucin and results in progressive dilation of the main pancreatic duct or cystic dilation of the branch ducts, depending on the location of the tumor. This tumor is small and localized in a segment of the main pancreatic duct or in branch ducts, particularly in the branch ducts of the uncinate process, but it may also be diffuse, involving a wide area of the pancreatic ducts. Excessive mucin may impede the pancreatic duct flow and, in turn, produce symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. The following findings are seen on imaging studies: lobulated multicystic dilatation of the branch ducts, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, intraductal papillary tumors, elongated or globlike mucous plugs in the dilated ducts, and bulging of the papilla into the duodenal lumen. The diagnosis is suggested at ultrasonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis, because it depicts the communication between the cystically dilated branch ducts and the diffusely dilated main pancreatic duct, as well as intraductal papillary tumor and mucous plugs.

Clinical significance of main pancreatic duct dila... [World J Gastroenterol. 2007] - PubMed result

Clinical significance of main pancreatic duct dila... [World J Gastroenterol. 2007] - PubMed result

Division of Digestive Diseases, 1365 Clifton Road, NE, Suite B1262, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Abstract

AIM: To study the patients with main pancreatic duct dilation on computed tomography (CT) and thereby to provide the predictive criteria to identify patients at high risk of significant diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, and to avoid unnecessary work up for patients at low risk of such diseases.

METHODS: Patients with dilation of the main pancreatic duct on CT at Emory University Hospital in 2002 were identified by computer search. Clinical course and ultimate diagnosis were obtained in all the identified patients by abstraction of their computer database records.

RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were identified in this study. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) were the most common causes of the main pancreatic duct dilation on CT. Although the majority of patients with isolated dilation of the main pancreatic duct (single duct dilation) had chronic pancreatitis, one-third of patients with single duct dilation but without chronic pancreatitis had pancreatic malignancies, whereas most of patients with concomitant biliary duct dilation (double duct dilation) had pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION:
1. Patients with pancreatic double duct dilation (DDD) need extensive work up and careful follow-up since a majority of these patients are ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
2. Patients with single duct dilation (SDD), especially such patients without any evidence of chronic pancreatitis, also need careful follow-up since the possibility of pancreatic malignancy, including adenocarcinoma and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, is still high.


Terminology: SDD- Single duct dilation; DDD- Double Duct Dilation

Cause of main duct dilation is CP and PC.
SDD- majority SDD patients had CP, 1/3 of patients with SDD but without CP had pancrease malignancies
DDD-pancreastic cancer.

Mine is a SDD.

Isolated main pancreatic duct injuries spectrum and management

Isolated main pancreatic duct injuries spectrum and management