title: Persistence of the X-ray-transparent matrix of vanishing pancreatic stones.
abstract: We present three observations of patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis with multiple pancreatic calculi visible on X-ray films of the abdomen. These patients were studied with plain films and sonography. On X-ray films, visible calcifications disappeared. In contrast, sonography and computerized tomography showed that the X-ray-transparent material of stones persisted. It is known that these stones are composed of different insoluble residues of PSP-S2-5, the secretory calcium stabilizer of pancreatic juice. This shows that the spontaneous or drug-induced disappearance of pancreatic stones on radiologic films is not sufficient for healing chronic calcifying pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Diseases of Digestive System and Nutrition, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastid
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002137:Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography