Chronic Pancreatitis exam questions for medical finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES
Question 1.
What are the complications of chronic pancreatitis?
- Malabsorption
- Diabetes
- Chronic pain
- Pancreatic pseudocyst
- These can rupture, bleed, or occlude nearby structures like the duodenum or CBD. If present for >6 weeks, spontaneous resolution is unlikely and they should be drained, either surgically or endoscopically into the stomach or duodenum.
- Ascites or pleural effusions if pancreatic duct is occluded
- Ascitic or pleural amylase will be elevated
- Pancreatic carcinoma
Question 2.
What are the causes of chronic pancreatitis?
- Alcohol
- Gallstone disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Haemachromatosis
- Congenital (pancreas divisum)