pancreas diseases

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that may occur as an acute, painful attack, or may be a chronic condition developing gradually over time. It is caused when pancreatic enzyme secretions build up and begin to digest the organ itself. Another term for this condition is auto digestion, which occurs when, for some unknown reason, the pancreas' powerful enzymes are activated in the pancreas itself rather than in the duodenum. It is believed that trypsin sets off a domino effect, activating other enzymes to speed the auto digestive process. There are a variety of tests that physicians use to determine if pancreatic disorders are present, what kinds and how advanced they are, and what may be causing the problem.

Abdominal Ultrasound The technologist who performs the exam, called a sonographer, spreads a gel on the skin's surface and then passes a hand-held instrument called a transducer around the surface of the abdomen. The gel enables smooth manipulation of the transducer and helps to transmit the sound waves by excluding air. MRI is another non-invasive diagnostic procedure commonly prescribed at the Pancreas Center. MRI combines the use of a large magnet and radio waves to create body images. The hydrogen atoms in a patient's body react to the magnetic field, a computer reads the resulting data and organizes the results into images that can be read by the radiologist.