Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Calcification

Recent Advances in the Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

“…A major problem is how to choose candidates for ERCP so as to find such early pancreatic cancers in patients without specific symptoms. Patients with upper abdominal complaints which cannot be elucidated (41), patients with chronic pancreatitis (41,64,67), especially calcific (51,64,67), and adult cases with diabetes showing weight loss and deteriorating control (13) should be actively examined by ERCP (table I). Early pancreatic cancer which can be radically treated by operation may be found among these patients by ERCP.…”

Calcifications within the duct of Wirsung in calcific pancreatitis

“…1). This is an example of the 2% or less of patients without preexisting pancreatic disease who have migration of common duct stones as a cause of pancreatitis [3].…”

“…Approximately 90% of radiographically demonstrable pancreatic lithiasis in the US is due to alcoholic pancreatitis. Between 20 and 50% of patients with alcoholic pancreatitis develop lithiasis [3], which represents calcifications in the ducts in a spotty distribution throughout the pancreas [6].…”

“…This may be clinically quiescent or be manifest by recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis [1,2]. It must, however, be realized that 5% of patients who have radiographic evidence of chronic pancreatitis, that is ductular calcification, have no demonstrable functional impairment of the exocrine gland [2].Pancreatic calcifications are most often seen in chronic pancreatitis associated with alcoholism, occuring in 20-40% of patients with chronic pancreatitis [3]. These calcifications are scattered throughout the canaliculi of the pancreas.…”

“…Pancreatic calcifications are most often seen in chronic pancreatitis associated with alcoholism, occuring in 20-40% of patients with chronic pancreatitis [3]. These calcifications are scattered throughout the canaliculi of the pancreas.…”