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Etiology and Treatment of Pancreatic Disease: Modern Concepts
Author(s) -
RICCITELLI M. L.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1973.tb00856.x
Subject(s) - medicine , exploratory laparotomy , pancreatitis , disease , etiology , intensive care medicine , pancreatic disease , acute pancreatitis , laparotomy , pancreatic enzymes , pancreas , general surgery , radiology , surgery , pathology
Although pancreatic disease may occur at any age, it is more prevalent in the elderly. Pancreopathy usually can be diagnosed by properly performed enzyme and function studies. However, because of its protean manifestations, the presence of pancreatic disease is often missed even after exploratory laparotomy and histologic examination. Prompt diagnosis can be life‐saving, especially in patients with acute abdominal symptoms. This requires diagnostic skill and a basic knowledge of the physiologic and pathologic mechanisms. Chronic pancreatitis follows a precise pattern of events, depending upon many complex underlying mechanisms. Early recognition can interrupt or delay its evolution. This article concerns various etiologic concepts, modern diagnostic methods (including enzyme and function studies, radiography, angiography, pancreatography), and medical and surgical treatment, with emphasis on the use of digestive enzymes.