An In-Depth Narrative Review on Pancreatitis: Understanding Diagnosis, Mechanisms, and Effective Management Tactics

Abstract

There has been a striking increase in information about the genetics, natural history and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in the past decade. Knowledge about the functions of genetic mutations in inherited and sporadic pancreatitis has offered provoking indications about the pathogenesis of illness: today, genetics of the ailment advocate a constant range of illness rather than being acute and chronic conditions. Rigorous medical care and non-surgical intermediation for complications are mainstays for severe acute pancreatitis; in case of failure of supportive measures in infected necrosis, surgical drainage (necrosectomy) is done. The parenteral route has been replaced by the enteral feeding, yet use of prophylactic antibiotics remains controversial. With identification of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, chronic pancreatitis is seen as a precancerous condition in specific cases. For several diagnostic indications in pancreatitis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography would certainly be replaced by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound.