Approach to Patients With Suspected Chronic Pancreatitis: A Comprehensive Review. Issue 2 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ketwaroo, Gyanprakash A.; Freedman, Steven D.; Sheth, Sunil G.
• Is Part Of: Pancreas. Volume 44:Issue 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: chronic pancreatitis -- early diagnosis -- secretin MRCP -- pancreatic function testing -- endoscopic ultrasonography -- histology; Pancreas -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Pancreas -- Periodicals; Neuroendocrine tumors -- Periodicals; 616.37005
• DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000000239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3177

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) represents a significant health care burden in the United States. Diagnosing it early and accurately is important for the efficient management of these patients. However, the early diagnosis of CP, when structural and functional pancreatic changes are subtle, remains difficult. Complicating this is the large cohort of patients with nonspecific abdominal pain who are often suspected of having early CP and who utilize significant health care resources in attempts at diagnosis and management. We present a review of the current diagnostic tests available for making an early diagnosis of CP. We further report our approach to patients suspected of having CP based on the available literature.