Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. The most common symptom is severe, persistent abdominal pain sometimes radiating into the back.

“When the problem is benign chronic pancreatitus and all else fails, our pancreatectomy and transplant options are starting to catch on across the country,” says Dr. Martin Freeman. 

More than 100 pancreatic resections, 1,200-1,300 EUS procedures and more than 100 new cases of chronic pancreatitus are handled at the Center every year.

Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment


Symptoms
The main symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are:

• Severe pain in the stomach area that extends to the back. It may get worse when you eat food or drink alcohol, and it may lessen when you sit up and lean forward.

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

As the disease gets worse, attacks of pain may last longer and happen more often. Attacks may last a few hours or as long as several weeks.

If the pancreas is unable to produce the hormone insulin, diabetes may develop, causing these symptoms:

• Increased thirst

• Increased appetite

• Increased urination

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis
We will ask about your medical history and whether you have had gallstones. You may have the following tests:

• Blood tests, especially to check your blood sugar, amylase and lipase levels (amylase and lipase are enzymes made by the pancreas)

• Urine tests

• X-rays of your abdomen and chest

• Ultrasound exam of the pancreas and gallbladder

• CT scan of the pancreas

• ERCP using both x-rays and a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope to see inside the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. A sample of tissue may be removed for tests.  You will receive light sedation for this test.

• Biopsy, an exam of tissue removed from the pancreas, usually through the endoscope

Treating chronic pancreatitis
If your pancreatitis is severe, you may not be able to eat or drink for a few days. In this case you will stay in the hospital so you can be given fluids through your veins (IV). Other treatment may include:

• Pain medicine

• Diet of foods that are easy to digest

• Lots of fluids

• Medicine for nausea and vomiting

Should we determine that your pancreas needs to be removed, you may undergo a pancreatectomy and auto-islet transplant. This breakthrough procedure aimed at preventing diabetes in patients who need to have their pancreas removed was developed by Dr. David E.R. Sutherland here at the Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center. Today, we perform over half these  procedures that are completed throughout the world.

If you have alcoholic pancreatitis, no treatment will prevent pancreatitis or relieve your pain if you continue to drink alcohol.