Health Dictionary

Overview

Other imaging findings may include MRCP, ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasonography. MRCP is the diagnostic study of choice. MRCP findings suggestive of chronic pancreatitis may include calcifications and pancreatic duct obstruction. ERCP findings diagnostic of chronic pancreatitis may include beaded appearance of the main pancreatic duct and ectatic side branches from the main pancreatic duct. Presence of stones is the most predictive finding seen on endoscopic ultrasonography. Other findings suggestive of chronic pancreatitis may include visible side branches, cysts, lobularity, an irregular main pancreatic duct, hyperechoic foci, dilation of the main pancreatic duct and hyperechoic margins of the main pancreatic duct. Pancreatic function tests may include direct tests such as secretin stimulation tests and indirect tests.

Other Imaging Findings

Other imaging findings may include:
- MRCP
- ERCP
- Endoscopic ultrasonography

MRCP:

Findings suggestive of chronic pancreatitis may include:
- Calcifications
- Pancreatic duct obstruction

Case courtesy of Dr Praveen Jha, <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/16287“>rID: 16287</a>

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP):

ERCP is usually done when there is no evidence of
- Calcifications on imaging
- Steatorrhea

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS):

EUS findings suggestive of hereditary pancreatitis may include:^[1]

Visible side branches
Cysts
Lobularity
An irregular main pancreatic duct
Hyperechoic foci and strands
Dilation of the main pancreatic duct
Hyperechoic margins of the main pancreatic duct

References

↑ Wallace MB, Hawes RH, Durkalski V, Chak A, Mallery S, Catalano MF, Wiersema MJ, Bhutani MS, Ciaccia D, Kochman ML, Gress FG, Van Velse A, Hoffman BJ (2001). “The reliability of EUS for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis: interobserver agreement among experienced endosonographers”. Gastrointest. Endosc. 53 (3): 294–9. PMID 11231386.

[pmid11231386-1] Wallace MB, Hawes RH, Durkalski V, Chak A, Mallery S, Catalano MF, Wiersema MJ, Bhutani MS, Ciaccia D, Kochman ML, Gress FG, Van Velse A, Hoffman BJ (2001). “The reliability of EUS for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis: interobserver agreement among experienced endosonographers”. Gastrointest. Endosc. 53 (3): 294–9. PMID 11231386.

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