Chronic pancreatitis

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Digestive system Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Chronic pancreatitis

• Abdominal pain
  • Greatest in the upper abdomen
  • May last from hours to days
  • Eventually may be continuous
  • May be worsened by eating or drinking
  • May be worsened by alcohol consumption
  • May radiate to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatty stools

Sitting up and leaning forward may sometimes relieve the abdominal pain associated with pancreatitis.

Pale or clay-colored stools may also be associated with this condition.

• Serum lipase may be elevated, but can normalize as the disease progresses.
• Serum amylase may be elevated, but can normalize as the disease progresses.
• Serum trypsinogen may be low.
• Fecal fat test shows fatty stools.

Inflammation or calcium deposits of the pancreas may be evident on:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• ERCP

An exploratory laparotomy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

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