What are the treatment options for chronic pancreatitis?

Question

Hi doctor,

My brother is 22 years old, and he is having severe abdominal pain, and he has a history of pancreatitis. He is currently in the hospital, and yesterday MRI was done. Below is the highlight of the MRI reports:

" Pancreatic body and tail appear mild atrophy with peripancreatic fat streakiness. The Pancreatic accessory duct draining the body and tail region appears dilated ~4.2mm with an irregular wall and drain separately into minor papilla. The main Pancreatic duct is dilated ~9.6mm and joint to CBD forming the common channel of length ~17mm before draining into the duodenum. A distal end of the common duct shows a hypointense calculus of size 6.4mm. A hypointense calculus is also seen at the proximal part of the main pancreatic duct. The liver appears normal in size, and the portal venous system appears normal. Gall bladder appears normal in appearance and wall thickness. No e/o calculi detected. CBD is dilated ~11mm with dilated IHBR. Spleen appears normal in size. Visualized portions of B/L kidneys appear normal in size."

Now doctors are saying we need to do stenting. I wanted to know why stenting is required, and it is necessary at this stage? What will be the complications after stenting? What if we do not do stenting now? What are the alternatives for stenting?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, he has chronic pancreatitis (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Along with stone in the duct, which if not relieved with ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and stone removal added with a stent, he may develop pain again; hence, it is necessary. This is a simple procedure and has no cutting. They will do with an endoscope, followed by stone removal and stenting. The only thing I recommend is to get it done with well-skilled ERCP specialized as many of them fail in the removal of stone.