Abstract: Pancreatic duct stone is a rare disease. With the advancement of radiological techniques in diagnosis and in-depth study the incidence of the disease has appeared to be rising in recent years, especially in the Western world. Defined as stone or calcification in the pancreatic duct, the pathogenesis of the disease remains unknown, but many theories are available for its formation. [1, 2] Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic duct fibrosis, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, spontaneous pancreatic duct stone, dysthyroid, etc are associated with the formation. These conditions cause pancreatic exocrine dysfunction and intraductal proteinaceous deposits which subsequently lead to calcification, thus inducing chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic duct stone formation. Meanwhile, pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis usually result from chronic inflammation or altered metabolism. The stones perpetuate the cycle of ductal obstruction and contribute to pain, worsening of pancreatic inflammation, ductal disruption, and deterioration of the exocrine and endocrine function of the gland. Pancreatic duct stone has been considered a marker of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic duct stone is difficult to diagnose in its early stage for the absence of specific clinical manifestations. Currently, laboratory test for pancreatic duct stone has no specific indices. To confirm the diagnosis, radiological examinations, B-ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are used. As the first choice for diagnosis of the disease, B-ultrasonography is economical. MRCP can precisely reveal pancreatic duct stones, pancreatitis, pancreatic tumor, pancreatic cyst and congenital diseases as well as other organs and systems. MRCP is of instructive significance for treatment, especially surgical therapy. It is also advantageous for non-invasive and repeatable treatment. MRCP has become the best method for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct stone in recent years. Because the pathogenesis of pancreatic stone is unknown, improvement of symptoms is a major goal. However, the management of pancreatic duct stones continue to evolve, and it is dependent on the available facilities. [3]
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-02-01
Language: en
Type: editorial
Indexed In: ['pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 7
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