Pancreas
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Transabdominal ultrasonography (US) usually reveals diagnosis of biliary acute pancreatitis (AP). Guidelines suggest repeating US in AP patients without cause at first examination. This approach has been poorly investigated, as well as the accuracy of repeated US as compared with that of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. This study aims at evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of repeated US for biliary AP. ⋯ Repeated US is effective for biliary AP diagnosis. The combination of repeated US examinations and biochemical tests seems an effective approach, whereas magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography might be restricted to selected cases.
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Severe acute pancreatitis is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality; so far, no causal treatment is known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and cell-free hemoglobin in an experimental model. ⋯ The administration of HES and cell-free hemoglobin can improve microcirculation in severe acute porcine pancreatitis, with consequent reduction in histopathologic damage and mortality. Therefore, this might represent an interesting therapeutic option in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.
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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk of death in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) using a Japanese national administrative database. ⋯ Underweight or overweight was the independent risk factor for mortality in AP.
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Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is frequent in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). This 1-year, prospective, multicenter, observational, disease management study aimed to assess symptom improvement and quality of life in patients with CP with EPI who were receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement. ⋯ Pancreatin demonstrated symptom relief and improvement in quality of life in patients with CP-related EPI in this disease management study.