Current Environment:

  • acute pancreatitis and recurrent acute pancreatitis
  • chronic pancreatitis: when patients have had chronic disease and have specific changes to their pancreas and impaired pancreatic function
  • autoimmune pancreatitis: a form of pancreatitis triggered by an altered immune response in the body
  • congenital (born with) abnormalities including:
    • Annular pancreas is an abnormal ring of pancreatic tissue that encircles the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.
    • Pancreas divisum is a birth defect in the anatomy of the ducts draining the pancreas.
    • Abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction describes the abnormal junction of the pancreatic duct and common bile duct that occurs outside the duodenal wall to form a long common channel. This is often associated with bile duct abnormalities.

Pancreas Conditions

  • Genetic diseases involving the pancreas include those diseases where specific genetic mutations lead to altered pancreas function or recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis. Commonly mutated genes include PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC.
  • Pancreatic cyst is an abnormal fluid collection surrounding the pancreas. They often form after an episode of pancreatitis and the symptoms can vary in severity.
  • Pancreatic trauma (or injury) - A very common cause of pancreatitis and typically occurs when the pancreas sustains some form of blunt force trauma, possibly sustained from a fall or car accident, or bicycle handlebar injuries.
  • Pancreatic Insufficiency occurs when the main functions of the pancreas involved in digestion are impaired or absent. Some diseases, like Cystic Fibrosis or Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome for example, can lead to pancreatic insufficiency.