Chronic/Acute pancretitis

• There are several types of chronic pancretitis and they tend to mimic pancreatic carcinomas.
• Causes fibrosis and chronic inflammatory cells are usually present and a marked distortion of the lobule is usually present.
• Eventually chronic pancreatitis will lead to a complete loss of aciner elements and ducts as the gland is replaced by fibrous tissue.
• Acute pancreatitis involves a rapid inflammation of the pancreas which is usually caused by gallstones or alcoholism.
• Symptoms of Pancreatitis may include abdominal pain, nausea, considerable weight loss, and the development of diabetes.
• Elastic ducts often due to ductal obstruction are often found in patients with pancreatitis. (Mills ET AL 2007).