Chronic pancreatitis articles from across Nature Portfolio

The function of T regulatory cells in the tissue fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis is not fully understood. Here the authors use a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis to show that Treg cells reduce IL-4 mediated chronic inflammation in the pancreas associated with M2-like macrophages in vivo.

In 2014, pancreatic fibrosis has increasingly been recognized as a key determinant of the pathogenesis, therapy response and disease progression of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In addition, secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography has gained increasing importance, especially in visualizing pancreatic duct abnormalities. However, the true imaging capacity has not been fully analysed.

Clinical and basic science discoveries over the past decade have led to considerable improvements in our understanding and care of pancreatic diseases. Findings reported in 10 key papers highlight results that have already substantially altered the care of patients with acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (or soon will).

The presence of ductal abnormalities after an unexplained acute attack of acute pancreatitis or in patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis might lead to a misdiagnosis of chronic pancreatitis or complications of acute pancreatitis. A new study suggests secretin administered during magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) leads to a better diagnostic yield than MRCP alone.

Traditional surgical therapy for chronic pancreatitis includes drainage of the dilated pancreatic duct or segmental resection of affected pancreas. Another option gaining increasing favour is that of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). A consensus conference, with proceedings published in 2013, discusses the current state-of-the-art information surrounding this procedure, and outstanding questions.