Exocrine Pancreas, Gallbladder, and Liver Pathology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of acute pancreatitis?

  • Gallstones (correct)
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Alcohol consumption (correct)

Which clinical feature is most specific for pancreatic damage in acute pancreatitis?

  • Elevated lipase (correct)
  • Elevated amylase
  • Epigastric abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting

What is a common complication associated with acute pancreatitis that presents as an abdominal mass?

  • Pancreatic pseudocyst (correct)
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Pancreatic abscess
  • Chronic pancreatitis

Which option describes a major risk factor for chronic pancreatitis?

<p>Cystic fibrosis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In chronic pancreatitis, what imaging finding is characteristic of pancreatic duct changes?

<p>Dystrophic calcification with a 'chain of lakes' pattern (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a late complication of chronic pancreatitis involving the destruction of islets?

<p>Secondary diabetes mellitus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What serious condition can arise from pancreatic pseudocyst rupture?

<p>Hemorrhage and enzyme release into the abdominal cavity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which biochemical change is associated with fat necrosis in acute pancreatitis?

<p>Hypocalcemia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Annular Pancreas

A developmental malformation where the pancreas forms a ring around the duodenum, potentially leading to blockage of food passage.

Acute Pancreatitis

Inflammation and bleeding within the pancreas, often caused by the pancreas digesting itself.

Autodigestion in Acute Pancreatitis

Activation of trypsin, a digestive enzyme, triggers a cascade of enzyme activation leading to pancreatic tissue destruction.

Pancreatic Pseudocyst

A fluid-filled sac formed around damaged pancreatic tissue, often containing pancreatic enzymes.

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Chronic Pancreatitis

Scarring and fibrosis of the pancreas, frequently caused by recurrent acute pancreatitis.

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Pancreatic Insufficiency in Chronic Pancreatitis

Difficulty digesting food due to impaired function of the pancreas, often characterized by fatty stools.

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Secondary Diabetes Mellitus

A late complication of chronic pancreatitis resulting from destruction of insulin-producing cells.

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DIC and ARDS in Acute Pancreatitis

A serious complication of severe pancreatitis marked by widespread blood clotting and respiratory distress.

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Study Notes

Exocrine Pancreas, Gallbladder, and Liver Pathology

  • Annular Pancreas: A developmental malformation where the pancreas forms a ring around the duodenum, potentially causing obstruction.

  • Acute Pancreatitis: Inflammation and bleeding (hemorrhage) of the pancreas.

    • Triggered by premature activation of pancreatic enzymes, leading to the digestion of the pancreas.
    • Common causes include alcohol, gallstones, trauma, hypercalcemia, or hyperlipidemia.
    • Symptoms include epigastric pain radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, periumbilical/flank bleeding, and elevated serum lipase (more specific for pancreatic damage) and amylase.
    • Potential complications include: shock, pancreatic pseudocysts (fibrous tissue surrounding liquefied necrosis with elevated amylase), pancreatic abscess (often due to E. coli, with high fever, and elevated amylase), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
  • Chronic Pancreatitis: A fibrotic condition of the pancreas, often secondary to recurring acute pancreatitis.

    • Common causes include alcohol abuse (adults) and cystic fibrosis (children), but idiopathic cases exist.
    • Key symptoms include epigastric pain radiating to the back and pancreatic insufficiency (malabsorption causing steatorrhea and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins).
    • Amylase and lipase are not good markers for chronic pancreatitis.
    • Imaging may show dystrophic calcification and dilatation of pancreatic ducts.
  • Pancreatic Carcinoma: Adenocarcinoma arising from the pancreatic ducts.

    • Most common in the elderly (average age is 70 years).
    • Major risk factors include smoking and chronic pancreatitis.
    • Clinical signs often appear late in the disease, including epigastric pain, weight loss, obstructive jaundice (pale stools, palpable gallbladder), secondary diabetes (body/tail tumors), and pancreatitis.
    • Other features include migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau sign), and elevated CA 19-9 serum tumor marker
    • Surgical treatment may involve a Whipple procedure (removal of head/neck of pancreas, proximal duodenum, and gallbladder).
    • Prognosis is poor, with <10% 1-year survival.

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