Open AccessDiagnostic approach to patients with acute idiopathic and recurrent pancreatitis, what should be done?
Author(s) -
Mohammad Al–Haddad,
Michael B. Wallace
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.14.1007
Subject(s) - pancreas divisum , medicine , endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography , magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography , endoscopic ultrasound , acute pancreatitis , sphincter of oddi dysfunction , pancreatitis , radiology , sphincter of oddi , magnetic resonance imaging , endoscopy , gastroenterology , general surgery , pancreatic duct
Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) is a common clinical condition that may be difficult to diagnose. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is proposed to be a safe first line test of choice in the majority of patients. When interventions are needed to remove biliary stones, evaluate sphincter of Oddi or pancreas divisum, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is recommended. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) can be a suitable alternative from a diagnostic standpoint although may not be widely available. Finally, genetic testing is increasingly used to detect certain mutations that are associated with this diagnosis.