Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy. Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start 'digesting' the pancreas itself. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop. And enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs. This new book presents the latest research from around the world in this field.

Diseases of the pancreas have been extremely difficult to study. Until relatively recently, the pancreas was viewed by surgeons as an organ to be avoided, given its deep retroperitoneal location and the sometimes severe consequences of manipulation. Similar difficulties have plagued careful study of the pancreas. In humans, only inf- quently have we had the opportunity to evaluate the evolution of d- eases of the pancreas; instead, we are confronted with end-stage chronic pancreatitis or acute pancreatitis with extensive necrosis of the gland. Within the past decade, revolutionary techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and animal models have begun to give us dramatic new insights into pancreatic disease. Coupled with these advances has been a slow but steady progress in the development of our clinical tools for diagnosing and treating pancreatic diseases. These advances place us on the threshold of a much more complete understanding of pancreatic diseases, opening up new opportunities for novel therapies and preventive measures. Pancreatitis and Its Complications brings together many of the world’s experts in pancreatic diseases. These “pancreatologists” include basic scientists, endoscopists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons. The ch- ters have been organized to provide a comprehensive discussion of acute and chronic pancreatitis, with up-to-date discussions of pat- physiology, epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, treatment, and c- plications of disease. It is hoped that this text will serve as a useful reference for clinicians as well as provide a clinical background for scientists with an interest in pancreatic or related diseases.

The second half of this century has been marked by the evolution of specialities in some branches of medicine, of which gastro-enterology has proved one of the more vigorous and successful. The development of intricate diagnostic and therapeutic techniques has fostered a tendency to overspecialization. In the past decade there has been a move to broaden the outlook. Workers who study the exocrine pancreas, both scientific and clinical, are now concerned not only with the endocrine pancreas but the liver and biliary tract as well because of the close embryological, anatomical and physiological relationships of the pancreas with these organs.

An up-to-date overview of acute and chronic pancreatitis. The two authors with special interests in this field deal with the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of these diseases, as well as complications, treatment strategies, and prognostic factors. Two chapters on congenital abnormalities and hereditary pancreatic diseases round off this book. Intelligently-structured for everyday practice, this can also be used as an actual reference book. For gastroenterologists in clinic and practice.

Pancreatitis: medical and surgical management provides gastroenterologists and GI surgeons, both fully qualified and in training, with a focused, evidence-based approach to the most exciting developments in the diagnosis and clinical management of pancreatitis. Focusing mainly on the rapidly changing and innovative medical and surgical strategies to manage the disease, new surgical procedures such as endoscopic biliary intervention and minimally invasive necrosectomy to exciting new medical therapies like Antiprotease, Lexipafant, probiotics and enzyme treatment are all discussed. Full colour throughout, with over 250 colour illustrations and with reference to the latest clinical guidelines from the AGA, ACG and UEGW at all times, it is an essential consultation tool for all those managing patients with this increasingly common condition.

Pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. Although they can be caused by similar aetiologies, they tend to follow distinct natural histories. Around 80% of acute pancreatitis (AP) diagnoses occur as secondary to gallstone disease and alcohol misuse. This disease is commonly associated with the sudden onset of upper abdominal that is usually severe enough to warrant the patient seeking urgent medical attention. Overall, 10 to 25% of AP episodes are classified as severe, leading to an associated mortality rate of 7 to 30%. Treatment is conservative and consists of general medical support performed by experienced teams, sometimes in ICUs. Although most cases of acute pancreatitis are uncomplicated and resolve spontaneously, the presence of complications has significant prognostic importance. Necrosis, hemorrhage, and infection convey rates of up to 25%, 50%, and 80% mortality, respectively. Other complications such as pseudocyst formation, pseudoaneurysm formation, or venous thrombosis increase morbidity and mortality to a lesser degree. The presence of pancreatic infection must be avoided.

Provides findings on acute pancreatitis in the fields of morphology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, enzymatic and in- strumental diagnosis, clinical aspects and pharmacological and surgical treatment. Emphasis on clinical implications on the local release and vasoactice and toxic substances, the high rate of bacterial infection in the necroses, and the causes of impairment of cardiocirculatory, pulmonary and re- nal organs.

​This book provides up-to-date information on all aspects of autoimmune pancreatitis, a unique form of pancreatitis characterized clinically by frequent presentation with obstructive jaundice and dramatic response to steroids, histologically by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with fibrosis, and radiologically by pancreatic enlargement. Current concepts regarding the disease and its classification into subtypes 1 and 2 are explained, and clinical, serological, and histopathological findings are carefully described. Imaging features on all the relevant modalities are illustrated, covering both the pancreas and other involved organs. Current and emerging therapeutic strategies, including steroids, immunomodulatory drugs, and rituximab, are then discussed. The reader will find the book to be an excellent aid to the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and its differentiation from pancreatobiliary malignancies, as well as a clear guide to treatment.