Pancreatitis pathophysiology

Pancreatitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Acute Pancreatitis Chronic Pancreatitis Hereditary Pancreatitis Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Differential Diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pathophysiology

Genetics

Hereditary pancreatitis may be due to a genetic abnormality that renders trypsinogen active within the pancreas, which in turn leads to digestion of the pancreas from the inside.

Pancreatic diseases are notoriously complex disorders resulting from the interaction of multiple genetic, environmental and metabolic factors. Three candidates for genetic testing are currently under investigation: Trypsinogen mutations, Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene (CFTR) mutations and SPINK1 which codes for PSTI - a specific trypsin inhibitor.

Mechanism of infectious pancreatitis

• Certain organism like ascaris have been reported to cause pancreatitis in some tropical countries by hatching eggs in the duodenum and then penetration of the mucosa by the larvae through which they enter the veins and then migrate up to the lungs and then through the alveoli to the bronchial tree . They then migrate upwards and are swallowed. Once in the gastro-intestinal tract they mature into adult worms and then enter the ampulla of vater and obstructs the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. This obstruction of common bile duct and pancreatic duct leads to pancreatitis.
• A few other organisms cause pancreatitis by forming macro-micro abscesses.