Chronic pancreatitis

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
  • Greatest in the upper abdomen
  • May last from hours to days
  • Eventually may be continuous
  • May be worsened by eating or drinking
  • May be worsened by alcohol consumption
  • May radiate to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatty stools

Sitting up and leaning forward may sometimes relieve the abdominal pain associated with pancreatitis.

Pale or clay-colored stools may also be associated with this condition.

Exams and Tests

• Serum lipase may be higher than normal, but can return to normal as the disease gets worse.
• Serum amylase may be higher than normal, but can return to normal as the disease gets worse.
• Serum trypsinogen may be low.
• Fecal fat test shows fatty stools.

Inflammation or calcium deposits of the pancreas may be evident on:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• ERCP

An exploratory laparotomy may be done to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis.