Acute recurrent pancreatitis: Etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Incidence of recurrent and chronic pancreatitis after acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Acute pancreatitis (AP) has a high incidence, and patients can develop recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) after AP.

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the pooled incidence rates (IRs), cumulative incidences, and proportions of RAP and CP after AP.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the proportion of RAP and CP after AP.

Data sources and methods

The systematic search was conducted in three (PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) databases on 19 December 2023. Articles reporting the proportion of RAP or CP in patients after the first and multiple episodes of AP were eligible. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled IR with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The I 2 value assessed heterogeneity. The risk of bias assessment was conducted with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool.

Results

We included 119 articles in the quantitative synthesis and 29 in the IRs calculations. Our results showed that the IR of RAP in adult patients after AP was 5.26 per 100 person-years (CI: 3.99-6.94; I 2 = 93%), while in children, it was 4.64 per 100 person-years (CI: 2.73-7.87; I 2 = 88%). We also found that the IR of CP after AP was 1.4 per 100 person-years (CI: 0.9-2; I 2 = 75%), while after RAP, it increased to 4.3 per 100 person-years (CI: 3.1-6.0; I 2 = 76%). The risk of bias was moderate in the majority of the included studies.

Conclusion

Our results showed that RAP affects many patients with AP. Compared to patients with the first AP episode, RAP leads to a threefold higher IR for developing CP.

Trial registration

Our protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021283252).

CFTR function is impaired in a subset of patients with pancreatitis carrying rare CFTR variants

BACKGROUND

Many affected by pancreatitis harbor rare variants of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene, CFTR, which encodes an epithelial chloride/bicarbonate channel. We investigated CFTR function and the effect of CFTR modulator drugs in pancreatitis patients carrying CFTR variants.

METHODS

Next-generation sequencing was performed to identify CFTR variants. Sweat tests and nasal potential difference (NPD) assays were performed to assess CFTR function in vivo. Intestinal current measurement (ICM) was performed on rectal biopsies. Patient-derived intestinal epithelial monolayers were used to evaluate chloride and bicarbonate transport and the effects of a CFTR modulator combination: elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor (ETI).

RESULTS

Of 32 pancreatitis patients carrying CFTR variants, three had CF-causing mutations on both alleles and yielded CF-typical sweat test, NPD and ICM results. Fourteen subjects showed a more modest elevation in sweat chloride levels, including three that were provisionally diagnosed with CF. ICM indicated impaired CFTR function in nine out of 17 non-CF subjects tested. This group of nine included five carrying a wild type CFTR allele. In epithelial monolayers, a reduction in CFTR-dependent chloride transport was found in six out of 14 subjects tested, whereas bicarbonate secretion was reduced in only one individual. In epithelial monolayers of four of these six subjects, ETI improved CFTR function.

CONCLUSIONS

CFTR function is impaired in a subset of pancreatitis patients carrying CFTR variants. Mutations outside the CFTR locus may contribute to the anion transport defect. Bioassays on patient-derived intestinal tissue and organoids can be used to detect such defects and to assess the effect of CFTR modulators.

A case of acute recurrent pancreatitis caused by biliopancreatic reflux without pancreaticobiliary maljunction

Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) is a clinical condition characterized by repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. In this case study, a 62-year-old man was diagnosed with mild pancreatitis five years ago, with alcohol intake initially considered the cause. Since then, he experienced three episodes of pancreatitis despite ceasing alcohol consumption completely. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with ARP. Various diagnostic and imaging tests were performed to determine the etiology of his condition, including blood tests, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The results were inconclusive; however, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed the reflux of bile and pancreatic juice into the alternative ducts, despite the absence of anatomical abnormalities in the biliary tract or pancreatic duct. These findings subsequently led to the diagnosis of biliopancreatic reflux, which activated pancreatic enzymes causing ARP. Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy was performed to alleviate the patient's symptoms. One year later, the patient remained symptom-free. This case highlights the importance of examining bile and pancreatic juice components before considering endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with unexplained ARP.

Clinical value of CT imaging features in the diagnosis of acute and chronic pancreatitis: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Recurrent acute pancreatitis is a common acute abdominal disease in surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the radiographic features of pancreatic computed tomography (CT) imaging in the diagnosis of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS

48 pancreatitis patients who met the criteria were selected in this retrospective study from 2010 to 2019. Each diagnosis was evaluated as functional abdominal pain, recurrent acute pancreatitis, or chronic pancreatitis. All clinical data were collected from the patient's medical records. 54 radiological features were extracted from each region of interest in outline the pancreas and divided into five categories: first order statistics, the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), the gray level run-length matrix (GLRLM), the neighborhood gray level difference matrix (NGTDM), and morphological features by the MATLAB program.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients, 16 had functional abdominal pain (33.3%), 18 had recurrent acute pancreatitis (37.5%), and 14 had chronic pancreatitis (29.2%). In the univariate analysis, nine radiological features, eight GLCM features and one NGTDM feature were significantly different between groups. Nine radiological characteristics had important reference values with AUC values ranging from 0.73-0.91.

CONCLUSION

Nine radiographic features of CT imaging demonstrate good evaluation efficiency in the diagnosis of pancreatitis and can distinguish patients with functional abdominal pain, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis.

Relation between triglycerides and the severity of acute pancreatitis combined with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can exacerbate the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP), and this severity is worsened with increased severity of NAFLD. This study aimed to investigate the relation between serum triglyceride (TG) and the severity of AP with NAFLD by collecting clinical data from AP patients with NAFLD.

METHODS

AP patients with NAFLD were divided into 2 groups according to TG levels: hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) group and non-hypertriglyceridemia (NHTG) group.

RESULTS

In total, 598 AP patients with NAFLD were enrolled in this study, including 433 in the HTG group and 165 in the NHTG group. Compared with the NHTG group, AP patients in the HTG group were more serious (P < 0.05). The incidence of persistent organ failure (POF), especially persistent respiratory failure, and the ratio of acute peripancreatic fluid collection (APFC) were higher in the HTG group (P < 0.05). Higher TG levels were associated with a higher incidence of APFC (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of APFC was significantly higher in moderate and severe NAFLD than in mild NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

HTG may aggravate the severity and local complications of AP combined with NAFLD.

Effectiveness and safety of path-based analgesic regimens designed by clinical pharmacists based on the type of biliary and pancreatic surgery

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

As the incidence of postoperative pain in patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases has gradually increased, how to control postoperative pain has received increasing research attention. By reading pain management guidelines and multidisciplinary communication and cooperation, clinical pharmacists designed multi-mode analgesia regimens based on surgical types, in order to provide strong evidence for the effectiveness and safety of postoperative analgesia regimens and better serve patients.

METHODS

Data from biliary or pancreatic surgery performed at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were collected. Take October 2020 as the time point to compare the outcomes before and after the implementation of the path-based postoperative analgesic regimens. The primary outcomes were NRS pain scores, sleep quality, and incidence of adverse reactions. Length of stay was a secondary outcome.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 268 and 239 patients were enrolled in the study and control groups, respectively. Four path-based postoperative analgesic management regimens significantly reduced patients' static and dynamic NRS scores in the 24 h (p < 0.05). The patients' sleep quality were better than controls (p > 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions and the length of stay in the study group were numerically lower than controls. Moderate analysis indicated that four analgesia regimens are more precise and better meet actual clinical needs.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Effective and safe postoperative pain management is particularly important for clinical purposes. Path-based postoperative analgesia regimens based on different types of surgery overcome the disadvantages of overly broad and generalized traditional guidelines, which play an important role in providing personalized and precise clinical services. Further, study findings provide evidence that four path-based analgesic regimens can reduce postoperative pain and reduce the length of hospital stay, which may provide a better direction for clinical postoperative pain management.

Acute recurrent pancreatitis in a child with pancreatic divisum– A case report

Introduction and importance

In children, acute recurrent pancreatitis is attributed to pancreato-biliary anomalies, hereditary pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic divisum is a common congenital ductal anomaly that leads to recurrence of pancreatitis.

Case presentation

A 13 years old female presented with clinical features of acute recurrent pancreatitis. After ruling out common causes, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was done which showed pancreatic divisum. Her symptoms resolved following duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection.

Discussion

Acute recurrent pancreatitis is attributed to raised intrapancreatic dorsal ductal pressure due to ductal anomalies especially pancreatic divisum (PD). It is the embryological failure in the fusion of the dorsal and ventral ductal system. PD is further classified into a classical subtype where there is complete failure of ductal fusion and an incomplete subtype where there is partial fusion of the ductal system. The diagnosis is commonly done through abdominal imaging with secretin enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography being the choice of imaging modality. The initial approach is endoscopic intervention unless patients present with signs of pancreatic fibrosis where a duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection can be carried out.

Conclusion

A keen suspicion should be given towards anatomical or structural variants in absence of common etiologies. Early identification and management of pancreatic divisum prevents the recurrence of pancreatitis.

•

Pancreatic divisum is a ductal anomaly which leads to acute recurrent pancreatitis.

•

In symptomatic cases the diagnosis is established following abdominal imaging.

•

Conservative or surgical management are weighed upon by the severity of pancreatitis.

•

Symptomatic patients may benefit from endoscopic or open surgical interventions.

Triglyceride to HDL-C ratio is associated with plasma D-dimer levels in different types of pancreatitis

This study aims to evaluate levels of D-dimer and serum lipid in different types of pancreatitis, and the relationship between D-dimer and dyslipidemia, especially triglyceride to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C) in different types of pancreatitis. We analyzed the D-dimer and dyslipidemia levels in acute pancreatitis (AP), recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). A single-centered retrospective study was conducted on 1013 patients diagnosed with AP, RAP or CP. Only patients hospitalized within 24 h of onset were included, and 204 patients were enrolled in pancreatitis groups. 68 normal persons without pancreatitis, malignant diseases, pregnancy, or organ failure, who had health check-ups, were enrolled in the control group. Blood samples were taken within 24 h of admission. The relevant information on epidemiology and etiology was collected. D-dimer and serum lipid levels in different types of pancreatitis were analyzed. Furthermore, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to estimate the validity of the predictor and to define optimal cut-off points for prediction. We found that D-dimer and TG/HDL-C ratio could distinguish mild AP (MAP) and non-MAP in AP and RAP patients. The D-dimer level was related to TG/HDL-C ratio and severity of pancreatitis, with the coefficient correlation of 0.379 and 0.427(p < 0.05), respectively. TG/HDL-C was related to D-dimer in different types of pancreatitis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted in the parameters at admission like alcohol abuse, dyslipidemia and coagulation disturbance in distinguishing AP and RAP groups from the control group, and the parameter like diabetes in RAP and CP groups significantly increased compared with that of the control group. The value of D-dimer level and TG/HDL-C ratio in predicting the severity of AP and RAP was confirmed but there was no significant difference between CP group and the control group. The D-dimer level was related to dyslipidemia and TG/HDL-C ratio.

Pain patterns in chronic pancreatitis and chronic primary pain

BACKGROUND

Abdominal pain is the most distressing symptom of chronic pancreatitis (CP), and current treatments show limited benefit. Pain phenotypes may be more useful than diagnostic categories when planning treatments, and the presence or absence of constant pain in CP may be a useful prognostic indicator.

AIMS

This cross-sectional study examined dimensions of pain in CP, compared pain in CP with chronic primary pain (CPP), and assessed whether constant pain in CP is associated with poorer outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with CP (N = 91) and CPP (N = 127) completed the Comprehensive Pancreatitis Assessment Tool. Differences in clinical characteristics and pain dimensions were assessed between a) CP and CPP and b) CP patients with constant versus intermittent pain. Latent class regression analysis was performed (N = 192) to group participants based on pain dimensions and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Compared to CPP, CP patients had higher quality of life (p < 0.001), lower pain severity (p < 0.001), and were more likely to use strong opioids (p < 0.001). Within CP, constant pain was associated with a stronger response to pain triggers (p < 0.05), greater pain spread (p < 0.01), greater pain severity, more features of central sensitization, greater pain catastrophising, and lower quality of life compared to intermittent pain (all p values ≤ 0.001). Latent class regression analysis identified three groups, that mapped onto the following patient groups 1) combined CPP and CP-constant, 2) majority CPP, and 3) majority CP-intermittent.

CONCLUSIONS

Within CP, constant pain may represent a pain phenotype that corresponds with poorer outcomes. CP patients with constant pain show similarities to some patients with CPP, potentially indicating shared mechanisms.

Future challenges in gastroenterology and hepatology, between innovations and unmet needs: A SIGE Young Editorial Board's perspective

Gastroenterology, Digestive Endoscopy and Hepatology have faced significant improvements in terms of diagnosis and therapy in the last decades. However, many fields still remain poorly explored, and many questions unanswered. Moreover, basic-science, as well as translational and clinical discoveries, together with technology advancement will determine further steps toward a better, refined care for many gastroenterological disorders in the future. Therefore, the Young Investigators of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE) joined together, offering a perspective on major future innovations in some hot clinical topics in Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, and Hepatology, as well as the current pitfalls and the grey zones.

Three-Dimensional Radiomics Features of Magnetic Resonance T2-Weighted Imaging Combined With Clinical Characteristics to Predict the Recurrence of Acute Pancreatitis

Objective

To explore the diagnostic value of radiomics model based on magnetic resonance T2-weighted imaging for predicting the recurrence of acute pancreatitis.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 190 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), including 122 patients with initial acute pancreatitis (IAP) and 68 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). At the same time, the clinical characteristics of the two groups were collected. They were randomly divided into training group and validation group in the ratio of 7:3. One hundred thirty-four cases in the training group, including 86 cases of IAP and 48 cases of RAP. There were 56 cases in the validation group, including 36 cases of IAP and 20 cases of RAP. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used for feature screening. Logistic regression was used to establish the radiomics model, clinical model and combined model for predicting AP recurrence. The predictive ability of the three models was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC). The recurrence risk in patients with AP was assessed using the nomogram.

Results

The AUCs of radiomics model in training group and validation group were 0.804 and 0.788, respectively. The AUCs of the combined model in the training group and the validation group were 0.833 and 0.799, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical model in training group and validation group were 0.677 and 0.572, respectively. The sensitivities of the radiomics model, combined model, and clinical model were 0.646, 0.691, and 0.765, respectively. The specificities of the radiomics model, combined model, and clinical model were 0.791, 0.828, and 0.590, respectively. There was no significant difference in AUC between the radiomics model and the combined model for predicting RAP (p = 0.067). The AUCs of the radiomics model and combined model were greater than those of the clinical model (p = 0.008 and p = 0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

Radiomics features based on magnetic resonance T2WI could be used as biomarkers to predict the recurrence of AP, and radiomics model and combined model can provide new directions for predicting recurrence of acute pancreatitis.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis and Superior Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis - Cause or Course

The management of pancreatitis can be daunting, especially when associated with other comorbidities. These complexities in management are conflicting in the presence of comorbidities with a similar presentation, such as abdominal pain. Acute pancreatitis (AP) has been associated with mesenteric thrombosis but less commonly with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT) as a causal or complicating dilemma. This case report describes the careful intrigues and overlaps in presentation. Furthermore, this paper presents a dilemma in that contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) may not be recommended in the early stage of diagnosis of AP according to the 2013 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guideline, but SMVT, which can be fatal, sometimes, complicates AP, and contrast-enhanced CT is important in its diagnosis. This paper attempts to address this dilemma. Managing these two potentially fatal pathologies requires promptness and thoughtfulness in averting a deadly outcome. Because SMVT is fatal, in this paper, we reiterate the use of contrast-enhanced CT in the early stages of the management of AP. Fatal complications from AP should not be missed. Although contrast-enhanced CT is not recommended in the early stages of diagnosis of AP in the ACG guideline, fatal complications such as SMVT can be avoided.

Pravastatin-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Pancreatitis is inflammation of pancreas associated most commonly with chronic alcoholism and gallstones. Other less common causes of pancreatitis are hyperlipidemia, infections, surgery, trauma, post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and drugs. Drugs are now increasingly recognized as a cause of pancreatitis, and high suspicion and exclusion of other most common causes is required before considering drug-induced pancreatitis. There are few case reports of acute pancreatitis in the literature after statin use, but out of these, only 3 are after starting pravastatin. We are reporting a case of 49-year-old male who presented with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. His laboratory findings were significant for lipase more than 10 000 on admission, and computed tomography scan of abdomen was showing peripancreatic fat stranding and inflammation. After exclusion of most common causes of pancreatitis, pravastatin was found probable culprit for his symptoms, which he started taking 2 weeks ago. We also reviewed the literature on statins-induced acute pancreatitis. With increased uses of statins, physician need to be vigilant to suspect statins as a culprit in cases of pancreatitis with unknown etiology. Prompt discontinuation of statins is required in these cases.

Eosinophils in the pathogenesis of pancreatic disorders

Eosinophils comprise approximately 1-4% of total blood leukocytes that reside in the intestine, bone marrow, mammary gland, and adipose tissues to maintain innate immunity in healthy individuals. Eosinophils have four toxic granules known as major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), and upon degranulation, these granules promote pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases like allergy, asthma, dermatitis, and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, the role of eosinophils is underscored in exocrine disorders including pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disorder that occurs due to the alcohol consumption, blockage of the pancreatic duct, and trypsinogen mutation. Eosinophil levels are detected in higher numbers in both CP and pancreatic cancer patients compared with healthy individuals. The mechanistic understanding of chronic inflammation-induced pancreatic malignancy has not yet been reached and requires further exploration. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of eosinophil-associated pancreatic disorders and further summarizes current evidence regarding risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of eosinophilic pancreatitis (EP) and pancreatic cancer.

The role of imaging in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most commonly encountered etiologies in the emergency setting, with a broad spectrum of findings that varies in severity from mild interstitial pancreas to severe forms with significant local and systemic complications that are associated with a substantial degree of morbidity and mortality. In this article the radiological aspect of the terminology and classification of acute pancreatitis are reviewed. The roles of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and evaluation of acute pancreatitis and its complications are discussed. The authors present a practical image-rich guide, applying the revised Atlanta classification system, with the goal of facilitating radiologists to write a correct report, and reinforcing the radiologist’s role as a key member of a multidisciplinary team in treating patients with acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography is the most performed imaging test for acute pancreatitis. Nevertheless, MRI is useful in many specific situations, due to its superiority soft tissue contrast resolution and better assessment of biliary and pancreatic duct, for example in the ductal disconnection. The purpose if this article is to review recent advances in imaging acquisition and analytic techniques in the evaluation of AP.

Acute pancreatitis secondary to cocaine use: a case-based systematic literature review

Cocaine use continues to be an important global public health problem. As the use of cocaine remains pervasive so have a myriad of adverse events associated with this drug. These deleterious effects are well-studied, but gastrointestinal complications remain esoteric and the existing clinical evidence is scarce. Ischemia of the esophagus and small bowel, perforation, peptic ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ischemic colitis are among the reported complications. In specific, acute pancreatitis secondary to cocaine use is an exceedingly rare clinicopathologic entity. To date, only 7 cases of this condition have been reported in the English-language literature. We hereby delineate a rare case of a 29-year-old female who developed her first episode of cocaine-associated pancreatitis. The diagnosis was made based on a standard battery of investigations and meticulous exclusion of common etiologies of acute pancreatitis. To our knowledge, this case represents the first report of re-occurrence of acute pancreatitis upon subsequent crack cocaine insufflation, adding a higher level of evidence to a fallible association. We also present a systematic review of the existing literature on acute pancreatitis following cocaine use. An updated knowledge regarding this rare association is of paramount importance for early diagnosis and astute management.

Antioxidant Therapy in Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is pathologic inflammation of the pancreas characterized by acinar cell destruction and oxidative stress. Repeated pancreatic insults can result in the development of chronic pancreatitis, characterized by irreversible fibrosis of the pancreas and many secondary sequelae, ultimately leading to the loss of this important organ. We review acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatitis-related complications. We take a close look at the pathophysiology with a focus on oxidative stress and how it contributes to the complications of the disease. We also take a deep dive into the evolution and current status of advanced therapies for management including dietary modification, antioxidant supplementation, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Nrf2-keap1) pathway activation. In addition, we discuss the surgeries aimed at managing pain and preventing further endocrine dysfunction, such as total pancreatectomy with islet auto-transplantation.

Resection of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in recurrent acute pancreatitis prevents recurrent pancreatitis but does not identify more malignancies

BACKGROUND

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) may be a presenting feature of and an indication for resection of pancreatic cysts, including intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Few data are available regarding the prevalence of malignancy and post-operative RAP in this population.

AIM

To study the role of resection to help prevent RAP and analyze if presentation as RAP would be a predictor for malignancy.

METHODS

This retrospective study assessed 172 patients who underwent surgical resection of pancreatic cystic neoplasms at a university hospital between 2002 and 2016. The prevalence of preoperative high-risk cyst features, and of neoplasia was compared between patients with and without RAP. To identify the cause of pancreatitis, all the patients had a detailed history of alcohol, smoking, medications obtained, and had cross-sectional imaging (contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging) and endoscopic ultrasound to look for gallstone etiology and other structural causes for pancreatitis. The incidence of RAP post-resection was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

IPMN accounted for 101 cases (58.7%) {[branch duct (BD) 59 (34.3%), main duct (MD) 42] (24.4%)}. Twenty-nine (16.9%) presented with RAP (mean 2.2 episodes): 15 had BD-IPMN, 8 MD-IPMN, 5 mucinous cystic neoplasm and 1 serous cystic neoplasm. Malignancy was similar among those with vs without RAP for all patients [6/29 (20.7%) vs 24/143 (16.8%)] and IPMN patients [6/23 (26.1%) vs 23/78 (29.5%)], although tended to be higher with RAP in BD-IPMN, [5/15 (33.3%) vs 3/44 (6.8%), P = 0.04]. At mean follow-up of 7.2 years, 1 (3.4%) RAP patient had post-resection RAP. The mean episodes of acute pancreatitis before vs after surgery were 3.4 vs 0.02 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Malignancy was not increased in patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasms who have RAP compared to those without RAP. In addition, specific cyst charac-teristics were not clearly associated with RAP. The incidence of RAP was markedly decreased in almost all patients following cyst resection.

Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis and COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report with Literature Review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection typically presents with respiratory symptoms, although presentation with gastrointestinal symptoms is not uncommon. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting as acute pancreatitis is rare. There are several etiological factors for acute recurrent pancreatitis, but its association with COVID-19 disease is not yet known. We present an unusual case of recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis in a young woman with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was diagnosed early but had a rapid downhill course in the second attack with a fatal outcome.

Pancreatogenic Diabetes: Triggering Effects of Alcohol and HIV

Multiorgan failure may not be completely resolved among people living with HIV despite HAART use. Although the chances of organ dysfunction may be relatively low, alcohol may potentiate HIV-induced toxic effects in the organs of alcohol-abusing, HIV-infected individuals. The pancreas is one of the most implicated organs, which is manifested as diabetes mellitus or pancreatic cancer. Both alcohol and HIV may trigger pancreatitis, but the combined effects have not been explored. The aim of this review is to explore the literature for understanding the mechanisms of HIV and alcohol-induced pancreatotoxicity. We found that while premature alcohol-inducing zymogen activation is a known trigger of alcoholic pancreatitis, HIV entry through C-C chemokine receptor type 5(CCR5)into pancreatic acinar cells may also contribute to pancreatitis in people living with HIV (PLWH). HIV proteins induce oxidative and ER stresses, causing necrosis. Furthermore, infiltrative immune cells induce necrosis on HIV-containing acinar cells. When necrotic products interact with pancreatic stellate cells, they become activated, leading to the release of both inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines and resulting in pancreatitis. Effective therapeutic strategies should block CCR5 and ameliorate alcohol's effects on acinar cells.

Acute Pancreatitis: Genetic Risk and Clinical Implications

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastroenterological indications for emergency admittance and hospitalization. Gallstones, alcohol consumption or the presence of additional initiating factors give rise to a disease with a diverse clinical appearance and a hard-to predict course of progression. One major challenge in the treatment of AP patients is the early identification of patients at risk for the development of systemic complications and organ failure. In addition, 20%-30% of patients with a first episode of AP later experience progress to recurrent or chronic disease. Complex gene-environment interactions have been identified to play a role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis, but so far no predictive genetic biomarkers could be implemented into the routine clinical care of AP patients. The current review explains common and rare etiologies of acute pancreatitis with emphasis on underlying genetic aberrations and ensuing clinical management.

Prognostic value of the creatinine-albumin ratio in acute pancreatitis debridement

Background

Increases in the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatinine (Cr) and decreases in those of albumin (Alb) are commonly observed in acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Cr/Alb and CRP/Alb ratios in the prediction of surgical treatment effect in AP patients.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data obtained from 140 AP patients who underwent debridement from January 2008 to November 2018 in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. The Cr/Alb and CRP/Alb ratios at admission and before surgery were assessed in the analysis of clinical statistics, prediction of prognoses, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The admission Cr/Alb had the best predictive value of the four ratios. This value was significantly higher in patients with re-operation and those who died (P < 0.05) and was correlated with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, admission CRP/Alb, preoperative Cr/Alb, and post-operative complications. The admission Cr/Alb could predict the risk of AP-related re-operation and mortality with sensitivities, specificities and areas under the curve of 86.3%, 61.7% and 0.824, and 73.4%, 81.3% and 0.794, respectively. At a cut-off value of 3.43, admission Cr/Alb values were indicative of a worse clinical state, including impaired laboratory test values, APACHE II scores, rates of post-operative complications and re-operation, and mortality (P < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, admission Cr/Alb values were independently related to the APACHE II score, post-operative renal failure, and mortality.

Conclusion

Cr/Alb is a novel but promising, easy-to-measure, reproducible, non-invasive prognostic score for the prediction of the effect of debridement in AP patients.

A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Study: Epidemiology, Etiology, Severity, and Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, severity, and outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the southern Sichuan region of China.

METHODS

All patients with first-attack AP between 2013 and 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were retrospectively identified. The etiology tendency was analyzed, and the relationship was defined with sex, aging, severity, length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Three thousand twenty-eight patients were enrolled for analysis. Acute biliary pancreatitis had the highest incidence rate; the second and third most common causes were hypertriglyceridemic (14.4%) and alcoholic (14.2%), followed by idiopathic (13.6%), mixed etiology (12.9%), and miscellaneous (2.31%). Patients with alcoholic AP were more likely to be middle-aged males, whereas patients with acute biliary pancreatitis were more likely to be elderly females (P < 0.05). The overall mortality in the hospital was 1%, and there was no difference in each etiological groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary disease was the predominant etiology of AP in southern Sichuan of China, and hypertriglyceridemia ranked second. The proportion of hypertriglyceridemic AP and mixed etiology AP gradually increased, whereas idiopathic AP decreased. There were different etiology proportion of AP according age, sex, and severity.

COVID-19 Presenting as Acute Abdominal Pain: A Case Report

As the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues across the globe, more details about the disease manifestations and clinical course have been emerging. The main clinical presentation of the ongoing coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is respiratory symptoms. Along with this, the involvement of the gastrointestinal system and associated symptoms have also been reported. Here we present a case of a 58-year-old patient who presented with acute abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. He did not have any respiratory symptoms, but had radiological evidence of lung involvement and was diagnosed to be positive for COVID-19.

The Lived Experience of Inpatients With Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis: A Qualitative Research Study From West China

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) has increased year by year. Approximately 20%-30% of these patients will have further subsequent attacks, described as acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP). Patients who are repeatedly admitted to hospitals suffer significant psychological problems and mental hardships. In the current study, we aimed to illuminate the lived experience of inpatients with ARP from Chongqing, China. A purposive sample of 13 ARP patients was recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Semistructured and in-depth qualitative interviews were adopted in this phenomenological research. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi's Method of descriptive phenomenology and feedback on early findings from the participants. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed with the permission of the participants. Five themes presented in the study: anxiety and fear, lack of related knowledge, inevitability and helplessness, guilt and shame, hope, and perseverance. Overall, the ARP inpatients showed complexed experience, both active and positive. They also performed poor compliance during their hospitalization but wished for professional knowledge. Nurses should pay attention to their psychological changes to take effective interventions for them.

Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) associated with severe acute pancreatitis: Case report on three family members

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Abdominal pain is one of the known symptoms associated with coronavirus disease 2019. Little is known about the development of acute pancreatitis as a complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. This case report describes the presentation of acute pancreatitis in two of three family members with severe COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

Data were collected from three family members admitted with COVID-19 to the intensive care unit in March 2020. This study was reviewed and approved by the local data and ethics committee (31-1521-253).

RESULTS

Two of the three family members were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis associated with SARS-CoV-2. Other causes of acute pancreatitis were excluded for both patients (including alcohol, biliary obstruction/gall stones, drugs, trauma, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, and hypotension).

CONCLUSIONS

These cases highlight acute pancreatitis as a complication associated with COVID-19 and underlines the importance of measuring pancreas-specific plasma amylase in patients with COVID-19 and abdominal pain.

Classification, Severity Assessment, and Prevention of Recurrences in Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a common disease, the incidence of which is 75-100/100,000/year in Finland. The worldwide incidence of acute pancreatitis is increasing. The identified mildcases usually show rapid recovery with conservative treatment allowing early discharge. Severe cases need early intensive care to reduce the risk of serious complications such as multi-organ failure. The revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis was introduced in 2012-2013. A recurrent acute pancreatitis is defined as two or more well-documented separate attacks of acute pancreatitis with complete resolution in between. Alcoholic pancreatitis is the most common recurrent acute pancreatitis type.

METHODS

In this review current severity classifications and literature on the prevention of recurrent acute pancreatitis are analyzed.

RESULTS

The severity of the disease is classified as mild, moderately severe, and severe acute pancreatitis. Novel entities include acute peripancreatic fluid collections in mild acute pancreatitis and acute necrotic collections in necrotizing acute pancreatitis lesser than 4 weeks after the onset and pancreatic pseudocyst in mild acute pancreatitis and walled-off necrosis in necrotizing acute pancreatitis more than 4 weeks after the onset of the disease. After the first attack of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis, 46% of the patients develop at least one recurrence within 10- to 20-year follow-up. With repeated intervention against alcohol consumption, it is possible to reduce the recurrences. Removing the gall bladder after biliary pancreatitis is the key preventing recurrences. In mild cases, even during the index admission; in severe cases, it is recommended to wait until the inflammatory changes have resolved. Of total, 59% of the idiopathic pancreatitis had sludge of stones in the gall bladder. In other etiologies, addressing the etiological factor may prevent recurrent acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This review describes current use of novel severity classifications and also different possibilities to prevent recurrent acute pancreatitis with different etiologies including idiopathic.

Multifactorial Scores and Biomarkers of Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis: Applications to Research and Practice

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammation of the pancreas presented with sudden onset and severe abdominal pain with a high morbidity and mortality rate, if accompanied by severe local and systemic complications. Numerous studies have been published about the pathogenesis of AP; however, the precise mechanism behind this pathology remains unclear. Extensive research conducted over the last decades has demonstrated that the first 24 h after symptom onset are critical for the identification of patients who are at risk of developing complications or death. The identification of these subgroups of patients is crucial in order to start an aggressive approach to prevent mortality. In this sense and to avoid unnecessary overtreatment, thereby reducing the financial implications, the proper identification of mild disease is also important and necessary. A large number of multifactorial scoring systems and biochemical markers are described to predict the severity. Despite recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology of AP, more research is needed to enable a faster and more accurate prediction of severe AP. This review provides an overview of the available multifactorial scoring systems and biochemical markers for predicting severe AP with a special focus on their advantages and limitations.

Risk factors of recurrent pancreatitis after first acute pancreatitis attack: a retrospective cohort study

Background and aims: Few studies have been conducted in Asia on the recurrence of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study was designed to investigate characteristics of the disease to predict recurrence.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 617 patients that experienced a first AP attack between January 2009 and December 2014. Based on reviews of clinical and follow-up data, we attempted to identify risk factors of recurrence using Cox regression analysis.Results: During a median follow-up of 3.2 years (range 3-72 months), 100(16.2%) of the 617 study subjects experienced one or more episodes of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). Of these 100 patients, 75(75%) experienced one relapse, 12(12%) two relapses, and 13(13%) three or more relapses. The etiologies of RAP were an alcohol (48%), gallstone (31%), idiopathic (14%), and others (7%). Univariate analysis showed that an age of <60 years, male gender, smoking, an alcohol-associated etiology, and a local complication at index admission were significant risk factors of RAP. Cox regression analysis showed that an age of <60 years (HR = 1.602, 95% CI: 1.029-2.493), male gender (HR = 1.927, 95% CI: 1.127-3.295), and the presence of a local complication (HR = 3.334, 95% CI: 2.211-5.026) were significant risk factors of RAP development.Conclusion: A local complication at index admission was found to be the strongest risk factor of RAP, and a male gender and an age of <60 years were significantly associated with RAP. Special attention and close follow-up should be afforded to patients with a local complication at index admission or male patients <60 years old.

Radiomic features of the pancreas on CT imaging accurately differentiate functional abdominal pain, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis

PURPOSE

Patients with recurrent abdominal pain and pancreatic enzyme elevations may be diagnosed clinically with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) even with normal imaging or no imaging at all. Since neither abdominal pain nor enzyme elevations are specific for acute pancreatitis (AP), and patients with RAP often have a normal appearing pancreas on CT after resolution of an AP episode, RAP diagnosis can be challenging. This study aims to determine if quantitative radiomic features of the pancreas on CT can differentiate patients with functional abdominal pain, RAP, and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHOD

Contrast enhanced CT abdominal images of adult patients evaluated in a pancreatitis clinic from 2010 to 2018 with the diagnosis of RAP, functional abdominal pain, or CP were retrospectively reviewed. The pancreas was outlined by drawing region of interest (ROI) on images. 54 radiomic features were extracted from each ROI and were compared between the patient groups. A one-vs-one Isomap and Support Vector Machine (IsoSVM) classifier was also trained and tested to classify patients into one of the three diagnostic groups based on their radiomic features.

RESULTS

Among the study's 56 patients, 20 (35.7 %) had RAP, 19 (33.9 %) had functional abdominal pain, and 17 (30.4 %) had CP. On univariate analysis, 11 radiomic features (10 GLCM features and one NGTDM feature) were significantly different between the patient groups. The IsoSVM classifier for prediction of patient diagnosis had an overall accuracy of 82.1 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain radiomic features on CT imaging can differentiate patients with functional abdominal pain, RAP, and CP.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator functional evaluations in a G542X+/- IVS8Tn:T7/9 patient with acute recurrent pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) is characterized by episodes of acute pancreatitis in an otherwise normal gland. When no cause of ARP is identifiable, the diagnosis of "idiopathic" ARP is given. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene increase the risk of ARP by 3- to 4-times compared to the general population, while cystic fibrosis (CF) patients present with a 40- to 80-times higher risk of developing pancreatitis.

CASE SUMMARY

In non-classical CF or CFTR-related disorders, CFTR functional tests can help to ensure a proper diagnosis. We applied an individualized combination of standardized and new CFTR functional bioassays for a patient referred to the Verona CF Center for evaluation after several episodes of acute pancreatitis. The CFTR genotype was G542X+/- with IVS8Tn:T7/9 polymorphism. The sweat (Cl^-) values were borderline. Intestinal current measurements were performed according to the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Standardized Operating Procedure. Recent nasal surgery for deviated septum did not allow for nasal potential difference measurements. Lung function and sputum cultures were normal; azoospermia was excluded. Pancreas divisum was excluded by imaging but hypoplasia of the left hepatic lobe was detected. Innovative tests applied in this case include sweat rate measurement by image analysis, CFTR function in monocytes evaluated using a membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent probe, and the intestinal organoids forskolin-induced swelling assay.

CONCLUSION

Combination of innovative CFTR functional assays might support a controversial diagnosis when CFTR-related disorders and/or non-classical CF are suspected.

Endoscopic sphincterotoMy for delayIng choLecystectomy in mild acute biliarY pancreatitis (EMILY study): protocol of a multicentre randomised clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

According to the literature, early cholecystectomy is necessary to avoid complications related to gallstones after an initial episode of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). A randomised, controlled multicentre trial (the PONCHO trial) revealed that in the case of gallstone-induced pancreatitis, early cholecystectomy was safe in patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis and reduced the risk of recurrent gallstone-related complications, as compared with interval cholecystectomy. We hypothesise that carrying out a sphincterotomy (ES) allows us to delay cholecystectomy, thus making it logistically easier to perform and potentially increasing the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

METHODS/DESIGN

EMILY is a prospective, randomised, controlled multicentre trial. All patients with mild ABP, who underwent ES during the index admission or in the medical history will be informed to take part in EMILY study. The patients will be randomised into two groups: (1) early cholecystectomy (within 6 days after discharge) and (2) patients with delayed (interval) cholecystectomy (between 45 and 60 days after discharge). During a 12-month period, 93 patients will be enrolled from participating clinics. The primary endpoint is a composite endpoint of mortality and recurrent acute biliary events (that is, recurrent ABP, acute cholecystitis, uncomplicated biliary colic and cholangitis). The secondary endpoints are organ failure, biliary leakage, technical difficulty of the cholecystectomy, surgical and other complications.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial has been registered internationally ISRCTN 10667869, and approved by the relevant organisation, the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Hungarian Medical Research Council (EKU/2018/12176-5).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISCRTN 10667869; Pre-results.

Melatonin treatment of pigs with acute pancreatitis reduces inflammatory reaction of pancreatic tissue and enhances fitness score of pigs: experimental research

Background

Severe acute pancreatitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Melatonin is known as the activator of antioxidant enzymes. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of melatonin treatment in a pig model with induced acute pancreatitis.

Methods

In this study, acute pancreatitis was induced in 38 German domestic pigs (German Hybrid). After induction of acute pancreatitis, 18 animals were treated with melatonin. Intraoperative clinical data, postoperative blood parameters, fitness, and Porcine Well-being (PWB) score, and post-mortal histopathological data were analyzed in both study groups.

Results

The matching procedure created two groups (melatonin group and control group) which were very similar. The fitness and PWB score were postoperative significantly enhanced in the melatonin group as compared to the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.003). Additionally, histological analysis revealed that acinar necrosis, fat tissue necrosis, and edema were significantly reduced in the melatonin group as compared to the non-melatonin group (p = 0.025, p = 0.003, and p = 0.028).

Conclusions

Pigs, which were treated with melatonin, were characterized by higher fitness and PWB scores than those of the control group. Moreover, melatonin treatment reduces the acinar necrosis, fat tissue necrosis, and edema of pancreatic tissue. Thus, melatonin might be a useful therapeutic option in severe acute pancreatitis.

Retrospective Matched-Cohort Analysis of Acute Pancreatitis Induced by 5-Aminosalicylic Acid-Derived Drugs

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the clinical course of 5-aminosalicylic acid-derived, drug-induced acute pancreatitis (5-ASA-DIAP) to acute pancreatitis (AP) caused by other etiologies.

METHODS

A cohort of patients with 5-ASA-DIAP was established through literature search. As a control AP (CAP) group, a cohort was generated from a registry. Data on the diagnostic procedure, symptoms, enzyme elevation, imaging, severity, and recovery parameters were collected. Causality was assessed using the Naranjo algorithm.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles were included, which describe 36 patients with fifty-one 5-ASA-DIAP episodes (60.78% female, 39.22% male). There were 88.2% mild, 3.92% moderate, and 7.84% severe cases of AP in the 5-ASA-DIAP group, and 70.6%, 25.5%, and 3.92% such cases in the CAP population, respectively. Symptoms improved significantly faster (mean ± SE, 2.5 ± 0.34 vs 3.74 ± 0.42 days; P = 0.018); however, pancreatic enzyme levels normalized significantly more slowly (6.27 ± 1.53 vs 3.63 ± 0.61 days, P = 0.008) in the 5-ASA-DIAP cohort compared with the CAP group. This study confirms that there are no diagnostic differences between 5-ASA-DIAP and AP of other etiologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer moderate but more severe cases were found in the 5-ASA-DIAP group; therefore, 5-ASA-DIAP must be taken as seriously as AP of other etiologies.

Etiology and Risk Factors of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

Based on the recognition of common etiological and genetic risk factors, acute and chronic pancreatitis are increasingly regarded as a continuum of the same disease, with a significant overlap of clinical manifestations and phenotypes but distinct morphological and imaging appearances. Recent population-based and cohort studies have found that tobacco smoke conveys a greater risk than immoderate alcohol consumption for the development of chronic pancreatitis, and hypertriglyceridemia has been identified as a risk factor for acute pancreatitis - even when plasma levels are only mildly elevated. Hereditary pancreatitis, in its autosomal dominant form, is associated with mutations in the cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1), whereas a number of germline variations in other genes have been found to represent risk factors for chronic as well as acute pancreatitis. For now, most of these involve the pancreatic digestive protease/antiprotease system. Oftentimes, affected patients are burdened with multiple or accumulating risk factors, and genetic traits when combined with environmental toxins compound the chance of developing the disease. Determining the underlying etiology of pancreatitis is worth the effort since formerly intractable varieties such as autoimmune pancreatitis are now becoming increasingly treatable, and subtype-specific therapeutic modalities may become available.

Is there a link between periampullary diverticula and biliopancreatic disease? An EUS approach to answer the question

BACKGROUND

Many studies, almost all in an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) setting, have been conducted to establish if a link exists between periampullary diverticula (PADs) and biliopancreatic diseases but the issue is still debated.

AIMS

The objective was to clarify the link between PADs and biliopancreatic disease, for the first time using Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our database seeking patients scheduled for EUS with an indication that entailed the exploration of the second duodenum. For each patient with a PAD enrolled in the study, 6 controls were randomly selected.

RESULTS

2475 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 185 subjects with a PAD were found (prevalence 7.5%), 1110 subjects served as controls. Patients with a PAD had more frequently a history of cholangitis (8.1 vs 2.2%; OR 3.99, p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) dilation (44.3 vs 28.2%; OR 2, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of CBD stones (34.1 vs 19.6%; OR 2.1, p < 0.0001). No differences were found about history of jaundice, acute/recurrent pancreatitis or EUS signs of chronic pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

Whereas PADs were linked with history of cholangitis, CBD stones and dilation, no association was found with pancreatic diseases.

TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile and TLR2 intron 2 microsatellite gene polymorphism in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis: Does it cause the disease?

OBJECTIVES

There has been coverage of Toll-like receptor 4 and Toll-like receptor 2 gene polymorphisms in inflammatory episodes in a number of studies. In view of the inflammatory nature of acute pancreatitis, we aimed to determine the predictive value of mutations in Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile of the Toll-like receptor 4 gene, and the intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 gene on the occurrence of acute biliary pancreatitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 86 patients for the Toll-like receptor 4 Thr399Ile polymorphism, 100 patients for the Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism with acute biliary pancreatitis, and 101 healthy volunteers. At the same time, 93 patients and 92 healthy volunteers were included in the study to research the Toll-like receptor 2 intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism. Genotypes were determined using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR products and by an allele-specific PCR.

RESULTS

The Toll-like receptor 4 Thr399Ile homozygotes mutant variants (p=0.005) and Toll-like receptor 2 MM genotype (p<0.001) were detected with a significantly higher frequency in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis than in the healthy blood donors.

CONCLUSION

The Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and the Toll-like receptor 2 intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism are statistically associated with ABP.

Recurrent biliary acute pancreatitis is frequent in a real-world setting

BACKGROUND

Data about recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) are limited.

AIMS

To evaluate the rate of RAP and associated factors.

METHODS

Single-centre prospective study of consecutive patients at first episode of acute pancreatitis (AP) being followed-up.

RESULTS

Of 266 consecutive AP patients, (47% biliary, 15.4% alcoholic, 14.3% idiopathic) 66 (24.8%) had RAP in a mean follow-up of 42 months; 17.9% of recurrences occurred within 30 days from discharge. Age, gender, smoking and severity of first AP were not associated with RAP risk. The rate of biliary RAP was 31.3% in patients who did not receive any treatment, 18% in those treated with ERCP only, 16% in those who received cholecystectomy only, and 0% in those treated both with surgery and ERCP. Patients with biliary AP who received cholecystectomy had a significantly longer time of recurrence-free survival and reduced recurrence risk (HR = 0.45). In patients with alcoholic AP, the rate of recurrence was lower in those who quit drinking (5.8% vs 33%; p = 0.05). The alcoholic aetiology was associated with a higher risk of having >2 RAP episodes.

CONCLUSION

RAP occurs in about 25% of cases, and failure to treat biliary aetiology or quitting drinking is associated with increased recurrence risk.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic pancreatitis

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is defined based on the occurrence of two or more episodes of acute pancreatitis. The initial evaluation fails to detect the cause of RAP in 10%-30% of patients, whose condition is classified as idiopathic RAP (IRAP). Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) is a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists. In view of associated morbidity and mortality, it is important to determine the aetiology of pancreatitis to provide early treatment and prevent recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an investigation of choice for imaging of pancreas and biliary tract. In view of high diagnostic accuracy and safety of EUS, a EUS based management strategy appears to be a reasonable approach for evaluation of patients with a single/recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. The most common diagnoses by EUS in IAP is biliary tract disease. The present review aims to discuss the role of EUS in the clinical management and diagnosis of patients with IAP. It elaborates the diagnostic approach to IAP in relation to EUS and other different modalities. Controversial issues in IAP like when to perform EUS, whether to perform after first episode or recurrent episodes, comparison among different investigations and the latest evidence significance are detailed.

First report of small cell lung cancer with PTHrP-induced hypercalcemic pancreatitis causing disconnected duct syndrome

Here we report a patient diagnosed with small cell lung cancer after first presenting with parathyroid hormone-related peptide-induced hypercalcemic pancreatitis and developed walled-off necrosis that resulted in disruption of the main pancreatic duct. Disconnected duct syndrome (DDS) is a rare syndrome that occurs when the main pancreatic duct exocrine flow is disrupted resulting in leakage of pancreatic enzymes and further inflammatory sequela. To date, no prior reports have described DDS occurring with paraneoplastic reactions. Diagnostic imaging techniques and therapeutic interventions are reviewed to provide insight into current approaches to DDS.