A 21-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis is a disease for which the diagnosis may be difficult to ascertain and the treatments are limited. Using the case of a 21-year-old man who has had recurrent episodes of epigastric pain since age 10 years and was ultimately diagnosed as having idiopathic pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic duct stones, we discuss the evaluation and treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Diagnosis is based on thorough history taking, physical examination, and carefully selected imaging studies. Etiologies may be structural or nonstructural; genes predisposing to chronic pancreatitis have been identified. An evidence-based approach to treatment is limited by a paucity of randomized controlled trials. We address the patient's concerns regarding chronic pancreatitis, including what he should expect over the next several years, whether endoscopic or surgical therapies should be considered, and whether there are any cures.
Callery
Mark P
MP
Harvard Medical School, and Division of General Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Freedman
Steven D
SD
D000328:Adult; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*