Chronic Pancreatitis Case Study
Choice "C" is the best answer. This patient exhibits multiple classic features of chronic pancreatitis, including abdominal pain, steatorrhea, weight loss, and developing diabetes. In addition, the finding of diffuse pancreatic calcifications on radiography is virtually pathognomonic for chronic pancreatitis. Among all cases of chronic pancreatitis, alcohol use (environmental toxin) is the most common etiology, accounting for 70%. The second most common group, accounting for 20% of cases, is idiopathic or unknown etiologies. The etiology of chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic fibrogenesis appears to be a typical response to injury. This involves a complex interplay of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, leading to deposition of extracellular
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Cholelithiasis is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis, accounting for approximately 45 percent of cases. Acute pancreatitis typically has a rapid onset and can lead to pancreatic necrosis, infection, and death in severe cases. Cholelithiasis is not a major cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Choice "D" is not the best answer. Hypercalcemia can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, most commonly primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. It commonly manifests as renal or biliary stones, bone pain, abdominal pain, and depression/cognitive issues. Hypercalcemia can rarely cause acute pancreatitis. However, it is not associated with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic parenchymal calcifications. Choice "E" is not the best answer. Hypertriglyceridemia refers to an elevation in serum triglycerides, with multiple potential causes including lifestyle factors, metabolic disease (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes mellitus), medications, and some genetic syndromes. Extremely elevated triglyceride levels (above 1,000 mg/dL) can cause acute pancreatitis. In patients with triglycerides of 500 mg/dL or higher, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines state that initial management of triglyceride levels is warranted before targeting elevated LDL, in order to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis. Hypertriglyceridemia is not associated with chronic
Cholelithiasis is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis, accounting for approximately 45 percent of cases. Acute pancreatitis typically has a rapid onset and can lead to pancreatic necrosis, infection, and death in severe cases. Cholelithiasis is not a major cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Choice "D" is not the best answer. Hypercalcemia can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, most commonly primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. It commonly manifests as renal or biliary stones, bone pain, abdominal pain, and depression/cognitive issues. Hypercalcemia can rarely cause acute pancreatitis. However, it is not associated with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic parenchymal calcifications. Choice "E" is not the best answer. Hypertriglyceridemia refers to an elevation in serum triglycerides, with multiple potential causes including lifestyle factors, metabolic disease (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes mellitus), medications, and some genetic syndromes. Extremely elevated triglyceride levels (above 1,000 mg/dL) can cause acute pancreatitis. In patients with triglycerides of 500 mg/dL or higher, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines state that initial management of triglyceride levels is warranted before targeting elevated LDL, in order to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis. Hypertriglyceridemia is not associated with chronic