Prevalence of pancreatic cystic neoplasms on imaging exams: association with signs of malignancy risk.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of cystic lesions of the pancreas on imaging exams and their association with signs of malignancy risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study, in which we evaluated 924 sequential computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the abdomen. For all of the patients included in the study, we reviewed the demographic data available in the medical records and evaluated the images. RESULTS: Cysts were observed in 4.5% of patients, the prevalence of cysts being highest (7.6%) in patients over 60 years of age. Lesions were detected at higher rates on magnetic resonance imaging and in patients with pancreatic symptoms (6.1% and 42.9%, respectively). Signs of malignancy risk were observed in 26.3% of the patients, more frequently in those who were male and over 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pancreatic cysts was 4.5%. Signs of malignancy risk were observed in 26.3% of the cystic neoplasms identified.

Frequency of Tabagism and N34S and P55S Mutations of Serine Peptidase Inhibitor, Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) and R254W Mutation of Chymotrypsin C (CTRC) in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis and Controls.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between chronic pancreatitis and smoking or genetic mutations. METHODS: The study sample comprised 148 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 110 chronic alcoholic subjects without pancreatic disease, and 297 volunteer blood donors. RESULTS: Of the patients with chronic pancreatitis, 74% had alcoholic etiology and 26% had idiopathic pancreatitis. The frequency of smoking was 91.4% in patients with alcoholic pancreatitis, higher than 73.3% in alcoholic subjects without pancreatitis (P < 0.01). The difference in smoking frequency was not significant between the patients with idiopathic pancreatitis and blood donors. The N34S mutation of serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) was found in 2.7% of patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, in 5.3% of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis, and in 0.4% of blood donors (P = 0.02). The P55S mutation of SPINK1 was found in 2.7% of patients with alcoholic pancreatitis and in 0.7% of blood donors (P = 0.12). The R254W mutation of chymotrypsin C was found in 0.9% of patients with alcoholic pancreatitis, in 0.9% of chronic alcoholic subjects without pancreatitis, and in 0.4% of blood donors (P = 0.75). In all cases, the mutations were heterozygous. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and the N34S mutation of SPINK1 were positively correlated with chronic pancreatitis.

Comparison of fecal elastase 1 for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency evaluation between ex-alcoholics and chronic pancreatitis patients.

CONTEXT: Fecal elastase is a noninvasive test for pancreatic insufficiency diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the usefulness of fecal elastase 1 for the indication of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency among former alcohol addicts and patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Forty-three patients with chronic pancreatitis and thirty-three asymptomatic former alcohol addicts entered the study. The levels of fecal elastase 1 were measured using a commercial kit. Pancreatic imaging findings were used to categorize the groups. RESULTS: The levels of fecal elastase 1 were significantly lower in the patients than in the former alcohol addicts and in the group with tissue calcifications, duct alterations, or atrophy. With a cutoff level of 100 µg/g, the sensitivity of fecal elastase 1 in chronic pancreatitis was 46.51% and its specificity was 87.88% with a positive predictive value of 83.33% and a negative predictive value of 55.77%. When patients were stratified according to the severity of their pancreatitis, the sensitivity was 6.25% for mild pancreatitis and 70.37% for marked pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Low level of fecal elastase 1 was associated with marked rather than mild chronic pancreatitis; however, it may be useful to indicate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in asymptomatic former alcohol addicts.

Genetic risk for alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

In recent years many studies have examined the genetic predisposition to pancreatic diseases. Pancreatic disease of an alcoholic etiology was determined to be a multi-factorial disease, where environmental factors interact with the genetic profile of the individual. In this review we discuss the main results from studies examining the frequency of genetic mutations in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

CFTR polymorphisms in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreas susceptibility to alcohol is variable and only 5-10% of chronic alcohol abusers develop chronic pancreatitis; the role of genetic factors in this process is unknown. The CFTR gene encodes a protein that acts on epithelial cells and plays a key role in normal exocrine pancreatic function. METHODS: This study investigated the frequency of polymorphisms in intron 8 of the CFTR gene in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Three groups of patients were studied: group A - 68 adult alcoholics with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis; group B - 68 adult alcoholics without pancreatic disease or liver cirrhosis and group C - 104 healthy nonalcoholic adults. RESULTS: T5/T7 genotype was more frequent in group A (11.8%) than in group B (2.9%) (p = 0.0481), and there was no statistical difference when groups A and C (5.8%) were compared (p = 0.1317). The haplotype combination (TG)10-T7/(TG)11-T7 was more frequent in groups B (23.5%) and C (20.2%) than in group A (7.3%) (p = 0.0080 and 0.0162). CONCLUSION: There are differences when these three groups are compared and individuals with T5/T7 genotype might have a greater risk of developing chronic pancreatitis when they become chronic alcoholics.