Prevalence of chronic (latent) pancreatitis in hospitalized chronic consumers of alcohol.
A pancreatic echographic investigation was carried out in 120 chronic consumers of alcohol, hospitalized for digestive diseases (hepatic, gastrointestinal) or extradigestive diseases (rheumatic, cardiovascular). Seventy cases (66%) presented pancreatic echographic--structural changes of various degrees. In 50 patients (41.5%) these changes were well definite. The intensity of echographic changes was correlated with the degree of alcoholic impregnation, 50% of the cases presenting also alcoholic hepatic disease. Emphasis is laid on the clinical latency of pancreatic disease. Echographic screening proved to be a valuable method for the detection of latent pancreatic fibrosis in heavy alcohol consumers.
Banciu
T
T
4th Clinic of Internal Medicine, Timişoara, Romania.
Suşan
L
L
Jovin
G
G
Sporea
I
I
Văcariu
V
V
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography