Pancreatitis classification

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

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

Classification

There are different forms of pancreatitis, which are different in causes and symptoms, and require different treatment:

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a rapidly-onset inflammation of the pancreas. Depending on its severity, it can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment. While mild cases are often successfully treated with conservative measures, such asNPO (abstaining from any oral intake) and IV fluid rehydration, severe cases may require admission to the ICU or even surgery (often more than one intervention) to deal with complications of the disease process.

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by irreversible change to pancreatic structure and function related to inflammation and fibrosis. Pancreatitis presents as a complex of pain and poor quality of life and, as it advances, develops symptoms related to exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, manifesting asmalabsorption or diabetes.

Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis is a genetic disease affecting enzyme production in the pancreas.