Complications

As with almost all diseases, pancreatitis can also lead to complications. These include, for example, bacterial infections of the scarred tissue, circulatory shock, as well as encapsulated accumulations of pus in the pancreas (pancreas).

Duration

The duration of treatment and hospital stay for pancreatitis depends on the extent and progression of the disease. While a few days of rest before starting to eat is sufficient in the case of a mild form of the inflammation, a more complicated course involves a period of 2 to 3 weeks without solid food. This means that in the case of a complicated course, the patient has to be in hospital for about 3 weeks in any case, and he should also be there at the beginning of the food build-up so that he can be well monitored.

If complications occur and the patient may need surgery, this time will of course be extended. If the course of the disease is mild, the patient should be discharged from the hospital after about one to two weeks. The duration of the sick leave depends on the individual course of the disease. In the case of a mild course of the disease, it lasts about two to three weeks, but is almost unlimited, depending on the complications that occur.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pancreatitis is made on the basis of the symptoms and the medical history. The laboratory values and ultrasound are also important. In blood tests, one enzyme is specific to the pancreas: lipase.

With the help of this enzyme, the fat can be better absorbed by the intestine. If this enzyme increases in the blood, it is very likely that the diagnosis can be made. Ultrasound can be used to detect stones that obstruct the ducts (gallstones). The swelling of the pancreas can also be detected by ultrasound. If a stone does indeed obstruct the ductus choledochus (the outlet duct for secretions from the liver and pancreas), the transaminases (certain liver enzymes) in the blood increase.

Blood values

Since pancreatitis causes the tissue of the organ to perish, the enzymes produced there will be found in the blood to a higher degree than is normally the case. These are lipase and amylase, with lipase being the most significant. In addition, especially in the acute form of inflammation, there are general signs of inflammation that can be detected in the blood.

These include an elevated CRP (C-reactive protein) level and an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytes). In very severe cases, the blood sugar level and the haematocrit value are also increased. This is a marker for the cell density in the blood. The changes in the blood occur both in the acute form of inflammation and in a relapse of chronic pancreatitis. Depending on the cause of the pancreatitis, liver enzymes (GOT, gamma-GT and alkaline phosphatase) and the bile pigment (bilirubin) may also be elevated in the case of gallstones.