The pathophysiology of pancreatitis.
The pancreas is an exocrine and endocrine gland that is required for normal digestion and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory process of the pancreas that involves peripancreatic tissues and remote organs. Mild AP occurs in 80% of patients requiring hospitalization and severe AP occurs in the other 20%. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disorder that causes anatomic changes, including infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells and fibrosis of the pancreas. This review discusses biochemical and histologic features of pancreatic injury in AP and CP and some of the important clinical sequelae associated with these abnormalities.
Khokhar
Asim S
AS
Nutrition Support and Vascular Access Team, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology/A-30, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Seidner
Douglas L
DL