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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Chronic pancreatitis differential diagnosis

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Chronic pancreatitis should be differentiated from other diseases presenting with similar symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss.

Differentiating Chronic Pancreatitis from Other Diseases

Differentiating Chronic Pancreatitis from Other Diseases

Differentials based upon abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea:

Abbreviations: RUQ= Right upper quadrant of the abdomen, LUQ= Left upper quadrant, LLQ= Left lower quadrant, RLQ= Right lower quadrant, LFT= Liver function tests, SIRS= Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, ERCP= Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, IV= Intravenous, N= Normal, AMA= Anti mitochondrial antibodies, LDH= Lactate dehydrogenase, GI= Gastrointestinal, CXR= Chest X ray, US= Ultrasound, IgA= Immunoglobulin A, IgG= Immunoglobulin G, IgM= Immunoglobulin M, CT= Computed tomography, PMN= Polymorphonuclear cells, ESR= Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP= C-reactive protein, TS= Transferrin saturation, SF= Serum Ferritin, SMA= Superior mesenteric artery, SMV= Superior mesenteric vein, ECG= Electrocardiogram

Disease Clinical manifestations Diagnosis Comments
Symptoms Signs
Abdominal Pain Fever Rigors and chills Nausea or vomiting Jaundice Constipation Diarrhea Weight loss GI bleeding Hypo-

tension

Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Lab Findings Imaging
Chronic pancreatitis Epigastric − − ± ± − + + − − − − N
  • Increased amylase / lipase
  • Increased stool fat content
  • Pancreatic function test
 CT scan
  • Calcification
  • Pseudocyst
  • Dilation of main pancreatic duct
  • Predisposes to pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic carcinoma Epigastric − − + + − + + − − − − N

Skin manifestations may include:

Dumping syndrome Lower and then diffuse − − + − − + + − + − − Hyperactive
  • Glucose challenge test
  • Hydrogen breath test
  • Upper GI series
  • Gastric emptying study
  • Postgastrectomy
Inflammatory bowel disease Diffuse ± − − ± − + + + − − − Normal or hyperactive

Extra intestinal findings:

Irritable bowel syndrome Diffuse − − − − ± ± + − − − − N Normal Normal Symptomatic treatment
Whipple’s disease Diffuse ± − − ± − + + − ± − − N Endoscopy is used to confirm diagnosis.

Images used to find complications

Extra intestinal findings:
Disease Abdominal Pain Fever Rigors and chills Nausea or vomiting Jaundice Constipation Diarrhea Weight loss GI bleeding Hypo-

tension

Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Lab Findings Imaging Comments
Tropical sprue Diffuse + − − − − + + − − − − N Barium studies:
  • Dilation and edema of mucosal folds
Celiac disease Diffuse − − − − − + + − − − − Hyperactive US:
  • Bull’s eye or target pattern
  • Pseudokidney sign
  • Gluten allergy
Colon carcinoma Diffuse/localized − − − − ± ± + + ± − −
  • Normal or hyperactive if obstruction present
  • CBC
  • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
  • Colonoscopy
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Barium enema
  • CT colonography 
  • PILLCAM 2: A colon capsule for CRC screening may be used in patients with an incomplete colonoscopy who lacks obstruction
Viral hepatitis RUQ + − + + − Positive in Hep A and E + − Positive in fulminant hepatitis Positive in acute + N
  • Abnormal LFTs
  • Viral serology
  • US
  • Hep A and E have fecal-oral route of transmission
  • Hep B and C transmits via blood transfusion and sexual contact.
Liver abscess RUQ + + + + − ± + − + + ± Normal or hypoactive
  • US
  • CT
Mesenteric ischemia Periumbilical Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous − + − − + + + Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous − Hyperactive to absent CT angiography
  • SMA or SMV thrombosis
  • Also known as abdominal angina that worsens with eating
Acute ischemic colitis Diffuse + ± + − − + + + + + + Hyperactive then absent Abdominal x-ray
  • Distension and pneumatosis

CT scan

  • Double halo appearance, thumbprinting
  • Thickening of bowel
  • May lead to shock

To review the differential diagnosis of Abdominal pain, click here.

References


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]