title: Pancreatic enlargement in alcoholic pancreatitis: prevalence and natural history.
abstract: We determined the prevalence and natural history of pancreatic enlargement by abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography in 72 patients with alcoholic pancreatitis. Pancreatic enlargement was observed in 54 patients (75%); it was diffuse in 28 (52%) and focal in 26 (48%). The focal enlargement was frequently cystic (50%), while the diffuse enlargement was only occasionally cystic (7%). Sequential imaging of the pancreas in 29 patients demonstrated partial to total resolution of pancreatic enlargement in greater than 50% during 6 months of follow-up. Determination of serum amylase and p-isoamylase activity was neither sensitive nor specific for pancreatic enlargement in alcoholic pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Dubin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medhat
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keramati
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Whitley
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007517:Isoamylase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases; D007517:Isoamylase