Determining the cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) is usually not difficult. AP results most commonly from alcohol abuse or gallstone disease. These etiologies account for 60% to 90% of the cases ( Box 52.1 ). Box 52.1 Etiologies of Acute…
Pancreatic cystic lesions comprise a spectrum ranging from benign to premalignant to invasive malignancies. Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are relatively rare, accounting for less than 10% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Their diagnostic frequency increases with age and has noticeably increased…
Introduction and Scientific Basis Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a condition characterized by repeated attacks of bacterial infection of the biliary tract. It is believed that the initiating event is the entry of enteric flora into the biliary tree, which…
Parasitic infestation of the biliary tract is a common cause of hepatobiliary disease in developing countries and in rural areas of developed countries. With increasing international travel and immigration, clinicians in developed countries will likely encounter these conditions with increasing…
Background Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the biliary tree. It is characterized by stricturing and dilation of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts, with concentric obliterative fibrosis of intrahepatic biliary radicles. PSC is closely associated…
The diagnosis and treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) presents a significant challenge. This chapter is intended to provide readers with a practical guide to the evaluation and management of patients with pancreaticobiliary-type pain and suspected SOD by providing…
Gallstones and their related complications have a prevalence ranging from 7% to 10% in developed countries to more than 70% among high-risk groups such as Pima Indians. Direct and indirect costs related to gallstones in the United States in 2004…
Chronic pancreatitis, cystic neoplasms, and suspected or established malignancy are the main indications for pancreatic surgery. The various types of pancreatic surgery are outlined in Box 45.1 . This chapter focuses on types of pancreatic surgery, their associated adverse events,…
Iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) continues to be an important clinical problem after biliary surgery, resulting in serious morbidity and occasional mortality. The management, operative risk, and outcome of BDIs vary considerably and are highly dependent on the type of…
Benign biliary strictures (BBS) are most commonly caused by iatrogenic surgical injury, usually after cholecystectomy, or may occur at the site of biliary anastomosis after hepatic resection or liver transplantation (LT). Other causes of BBS include primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC),…