Endoscopic ultrasonography for evaluating patients with recurrent pancreatitis

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG 2008-02, Vol.14 (7), p.1016-1022
• Main Authors: Petrone, Maria Chiara, Arcidiacono, Paolo G, Testoni, Pier Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biliary Tract - abnormalities; Biliary Tract - diagnostic imaging; Choledocholithiasis - diagnostic imaging; Endosonography - methods; Gallstones - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Pancreas - abnormalities; Pancreas - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatitis - diagnosis; Pancreatitis - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatitis, Chronic - diagnostic imaging; Recurrence; Topic Highlight; 内窥镜检查; 治疗方法; 胰腺炎; 超声检查
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.1016

Acute recurrent pancreatitis （ARP） is still a complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. In up to 30% of cases of ARP, it is not possible to establish the etiology of the disease. In the other 70%, many factors play an etiological role in ARP： microlithiasis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction （SOD）, pancreas divisum, hereditary pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, a choledochocele, annular pancreas, an anomalous pancreatobiliary junction, pancreatic tumors or chronic pancreatitis are diagnosed. EUS should be useful in ARP as it is sensitive for diagnosing bile duct stones, gallbladder sludge, pancreatic lesions, ductal abnormalities and chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） appears to be diagnostic in the majority of patients with previously unexplained pancreatitis, and offers an alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） as the initial diagnostic test in patients with ARP.