This document discusses chronic pancreatitis, including its causes, pathogenesis, classification, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, complications, and surgical and non-surgical management. Some key points include:
- Gallstone disease is the most common cause, accounting for 70% of cases. Other causes include alcoholism, trauma, genetic factors.
- Pathogenesis involves reflux of infected bile or duodenal contents into the pancreatic ducts, causing inflammation and activation of pancreatic enzymes.
- Classification is based on etiology, presence of pancreatic duct obstruction, and clinical features such as pain pattern.
- Presentation includes recurrent upper abdominal pain, weight loss from malabsorption, and endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency