Physical Address

304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Abdominal Pain

Overview The evaluation of the adult patient with abdominal pain is often challenging for the primary care, specialist, or emergency physician. While occasional abdominal pain is experienced by almost all adults and is usually self-limited, it can herald serious disorders, demanding immediate diagnosis and treatment. Much has been written about the clinical evaluation of acute abdominal pain and will be covered here only briefly, allowing us…

Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma

KEY FACTS Imaging Multiplanar, multiphasic CT or MR CT : Poorly marginated, hypodense mass with tendency to infiltrate posteriorly into retroperitoneum Strong tendency to obstruct pancreatic and common bile ducts, with abrupt ductal cutoff at site of obstruction Pancreatic parenchymal atrophy upstream from mass Soft tissue infiltration to involve adjacent vessels and organs (e.g., duodenum, bowel, stomach, and adrenals) Most common sites of distant metastatic disease…

Groove Pancreatitis

KEY FACTS Terminology Synonym: Cystic dystrophy of duodenal wall Chronic segmental pancreatitis in groove between duodenum and pancreatic head Distal common bile duct (CBD) traverses posterior aspect of groove You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

Acute Pancreatitis and Complications

KEY FACTS Imaging Interstitial edematous pancreatitis (IEP) (70-80% of cases): Normal enhancement of pancreas without necrosis Pancreas typically enlarged and edematous Peripancreatic fat stranding, edema, and free fluid Mild edematous pancreatitis can appear normal on CT Necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) (20-30% of cases): Areas of nonenhancing parenchymal necrosis May necrose pancreatic duct as well Necrosis usually develops within 3-4 days after symptom onset Complications Infected pancreatic necrosis…

Annular Pancreas

KEY FACTS Terminology Pancreatic tissue that almost or completely encircles descending portion of duodenum You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here